TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Jan 26, 2022

Knoxville lawyer Robert Phillip Murrian died Jan. 24 at the age of 76. Murrian earned his law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1974 and later joined the school as an adjunct professor. Following graduation he served as law clerk for Judge Robert L. Taylor, worked at the firm of Butler, Vines & Babb, and then served as U.S. magistrate judge from 1978 to 2002. After retiring from the bench, Murrian practiced with Kramer Rayson, focusing on federal matters. In his last position, Murrian joined Pam Reeves and Celeste Herbert to establish the mediation firm Reeves, Herbert & Murrian. Among his many accomplishments, Murrian served as president of the Hamilton Burnett American Inns of Court, was a member of the Knoxville Bar Association Board of Governors, and received the association’s Law and Liberty Award and Governors’ Award. Friends of the family are invited to send cards to Sue Murrian at 531 South Gay #403, Knoxville TN 37902. A celebration of life service will be held April 9 at noon EST at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 6500 S. Northshore Dr., Knoxville TN 37919. The KBA announced the news.