Gayle Murphy named head of bar admissions

Veteran State Bar administrator Gayle Murphy was appointed senior executive for admissions, replacing Jerome Braun, who retired. Murphy, 52, will oversee the bar’s 60-employee Office of Admissions, which provides staff support to the Committee of Bar Examiners.

Murphy

The committee administers the bar exam, screens bar applicants for moral character, recommends all qualified applicants to the California Supreme Court for admission and accredits law schools in California.

“We were pleased with the quality of the many applicants for the position that we received,” said Executive Director Judy Johnson. “Al-though there were several highly qualified candidates, Gayle’s long relationship with the State Bar and her integral familiarity with the admissions process helped her stand out among the candidates.”

Murphy began her State Bar career in 1981. She is only the fourth admissions executive in 40 years.

“This is obviously a very important part of the State Bar and one that has served the State Bar, the public and the profession well,” said Johnson. “Gayle has been vital to that process and will be even more of a contributor in her new role.”