Attorney Murphy has stepped up his pro bono efforts to help combat the impact of Covid-19 on people’s lives. If you are unemployed and experiencing issues with your employer or landlord, please contact Attorney Murphy immediately-he is here to help.

To this end, Attorney Murphy is pleased to report three (3) recent unemployment pro bono successes on behalf of his client(s):

1) In the first matter, Attorney Murphy represented a chaplain who worked for a local area hospital. The employer terminated the chaplain for attendance issues and the Department of Unemployment Assistance (“DUA”) determined the chaplain failed to adhere to the employer’s attendance policy, thereby denying the chaplain’s claim for benefits.

At the unemployment hearing, Attorney Murphy pointed out several inconsistencies with the employer’s version of events and argued that the chaplain’s actions were unintentional. The DUA agreed and reversed. Thereafter, the chaplain received a sizeable, back-dated check for benefits.

2) In the second matter, Attorney Murphy represented a former employee of Jamaican decent who worked for another major local hospital. The employer transferred the employee to a different position due to Covid-19. Significantly, the employee was required perform duties that he never performed before. The employer was dissatisfied with the employee’s performance and terminated him. The employer then contested the employee’s unemployment claim.

When Attorney Murphy learned of this gross and unfair termination and subsequent action of contesting unemployment, he immediately took the case pro bono. At the unemployment hearing, Attorney Murphy cross-examined the employer, exposing the employer’s non-credible and unsupported position it terminated the employee for misconduct. Attorney Murphy argued the employee did nothing wrong. The DUA agreed and rejected the employer’s case.

3) In the third matter, stakes were high for Attorney Murphy’s client. The DUA determined the client was in “fault” or committed fraud in claiming for unemployment benefits. At the unemployment hearing, Attorney Murphy argued that the facts and circumstances did not meet the legal definition of “fault”. The hearing officer agreed, and the client was not charged interest or penalties. Significantly, the client does not have a “fault” finding attached to her name.