Onto Law School: Recent International Studies Grad to Take on Notre Dame

This article is part of The Next Step series. While the four years at VMI are designed for cadets to push themselves academically, physically, and mentally to tackle the demands of life at a premiere military college, they also prepare cadets for life after graduation. Whether that life be one in the military or one in the private sector, VMI faculty and staff provide guidance to cadets along their journeys. One department specifically dedicated to that endeavor of post-Institute success is the Office of Career Services. In The Next Step series, we highlight cadets preparing to enter the workforce after graduation, as well as those still in the midst of their cadetship preparing for internships over the summer. 

From legislative intern to Virginia Military Institute graduate, the next step for Jimmy Murphy ’24 is law school. 

After spending several summers working in the U.S. Capitol, in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, Murphy will be heading to Notre Dame Law School in the fall. 

The international studies major and national security minor from Golden Valley, Minnesota, took his first internship the summer of 2021 as a legislative intern with the Office of Congressman Jim Hagedorn (R-Minnesota). 

After that, he spent his summer as a committee intern with the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Last summer he was an intern with Van Scoyoc Associates, a government affairs team based in Washington, D.C.   

He credits his internships to setting him up for success. 

“My internships prepared me for my next step of becoming a lawyer because they gave me invaluable experience and confirmed what career I wanted to pursue” he said. “The experiences of serving the constituents of Minnesota’s 1st District, Sen. Rob Portman in the U.S. Senate, and a distinguished list of veteran/defense clients exposed me to the fulfillment of a career of serving others. In addition, working for so many accomplished legislative staffers, lawyers, and government officials gifted me with an amazing support network through my journey. None of my success would be possible without them.” 

Murphy was admitted to several top 20 law schools but accepted an offer to Notre Dame Law School. 

In his last year at VMI, Murphy was awarded the International Studies Award, which is given to the top graduate in the Department of International Studies and Political Science. He said that his time at VMI has benefitted and shaped him in many ways including sharpening his time-management skills, instilling the importance of a strong work ethic, and showing him the value of being a servant leader. 

“These skills are going to serve me greatly as I pursue my career as a lawyer and public servant,” he said. “Future clients and employers of mine will know that no matter what pressure, hurdle, or trial I am faced with,; they can take solace in the fact that they are getting a tested individual who gladly embraces pressure and relishes in being the hardest worker in the room.” 

As a 1st Class cadet, he led a seminar in partnership with the Pre-Law Society on the law school application process, served as vice president for the Education on the Cadet Equity Association, and finished up his final year on the VMI football team.  

Murphy also finished his senior thesis, “Money Talks? Lobbying, Ideology, and Issue Salience in the United States Senate,” in his national security minor. 

“The major takeaway I had from my last year at VMI was while work is certainly important, you should not allow the pressures of a career or outside expectations to steal your joy,” he said. “Life on Earth is short, and the Bible speaks often about the importance of loving others. Simply put, there will always be an assignment to do, a paper to write, a Zoom call to take, etcetera. But do not pursue life compromising the relationships you have built or thinking that your worth is built on a salary or title.” 

For the summer, Murphy will be working at a boutique law firm in Minneapolis before starting law school in the fall. He hopes his story can inspire others to chase their dreams.  

“I do not come from a wealthy family, I am a first-generation law student, and for many years I sometimes questioned whether I had the abilities to achieve my ambitious goals,” he said. “I want to be an example for anyone who might’ve gotten knocked down. Not even just in academics, but in life — anyone who might be feeling like they came up short, or who might be getting pegged as somebody who can’t achieve certain things. Maybe they can look at me and see how I never gave up, never stopped believing in myself, and found my strength in the Lord to triumph over every hurdle life placed in my path.” 

After Notre Dame Law, Murphy wants to join the Navy or Air Force JAG Corps, clerk for a federal judge, and eventually return to his home state of Minnesota to continue a career in public service and politics.