Thomas J. Murray

Feb 23, 1937 - Jul 21, 2024

Huron

Thomas J. "Tom" Murray, 87, a distinguished trial lawyer, legal innovator, and educator, passed away Sunday, July 21, 2024.

He was born Feb. 23, 1937, in Sandusky, to Thomas J. Murray and Margaret Cummings Murray.

Tom graduated from Sandusky High School in 1955 and continued his academic journey at Boston College, graduating magna cum laude and valedictorian in 1959 with a B.S.B.A. in economics. He later earned his Juris Doctor from University of Virginia School of Law in 1965.

Tom spent over 40 years working with his family firm, Murray and Murray Co. LPA. As a trial lawyer, Tom achieved prominence for his expertise in major litigation, encompassing commercial, environmental, maritime, railroad, airline, and automotive product liability and personal injury cases. His career highlights include successfully arguing cases before the United States Supreme Court and numerous federal and state appellate courts. Notably, he led the first major environmental class action lawsuit in the United States.

Tom's commitment to legal education was equally remarkable. He served as a lecturer in Trial Practice at Case Western Reserve University School of Law from 1975-1977 and was a member of the national faculty of the College of Advocacy, Hastings College of Law, University of California from 1975-1981. Beyond the classroom, he lectured on a wide range of law-related subjects in 38 states, four Canadian provinces, and the former Soviet Union. Additionally, he authored or co-authored several books and numerous journal articles and produced educational videotapes that significantly advanced legal knowledge. His book, "Deadly By Design: The Shocking Cover-Up Behind Runaway Cars," was the first comprehensive study exposing long-running automotive safety issues. Tom and his wife, Ann, in conjunction with Father Jim Bacik, also established the Murray Bacik Chair on Catholic Thought at The University of Toledo.

A true legal pioneer, Tom introduced groundbreaking practices such as the use of videotaped testimony in court, a technique now universally accepted, and the concept of "curative damages," which allows punitive damages to be allocated to charitable and public purposes. This work led him to be featured on CBS' 60 Minutes and Dateline.

Internationally, Tom played a pivotal role in promoting legal understanding and collaboration. He organized and moderated symposia to assist leaders of Mikhail Gorbachev's perestroika movement in understanding American free enterprise and legal concepts. He co-founded the U.S./Russian Information Resource Institute to aid U.S. businesses in navigating changes in Russia's political economy. Tom's efforts also led to the establishment of the World Law Institute in Budapest, in partnership with the late Professor Harold Berman, Robert W. Woodruff Professor of Law, Emory University School of Law, and the late Boris N. Topornin, then Director of the Institute of State and Law Academician, Russian Academy of Sciences. Additionally, Tom and Ann co-founded a foundation that brought together U.S. and Russian doctors and lawyers, pioneering a model for modernizing Russia's maternity care system and fostering cross-cultural exchange in healthcare and legal practices.

Professionally, Tom was a respected member of several prestigious organizations, including Erie County Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Association, and American Bar Association. He was also a Fellow of the International Society of Barristers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and member of Association of Trial Lawyers of America, American Justice Association, and Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers. Notably, he was the first U.S. lawyer to receive honorary lifetime membership in the Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia, recognizing his influential role in legal education and practice both domestically and internationally. His dedication to advancing legal knowledge was further honored with a national award for excellence in teaching and writing in continuing legal education, while his profound contributions to justice earned him the 2012 John J. Schlageter Sr. Award in Ohio.

Beyond his legal career, Tom proudly served in the Military Police Officers Training School at Ft. Gordon, Georgia, and as Commanding Officer of a military police garrison at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina.

Tom was a terrific storyteller with a great sense of humor. He authored a joke book titled "It Is OK to Laugh In Church" and enjoyed doing informal standup for local groups over the course of several years. He was never afraid to laugh at himself and did so often.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ann Leitch Murray; seven children, Margaret (Amarish) Kapasi of Atlanta, Georgia, Theresa Murray of London, UK, Thomas B. Murray, James L. (Courtney) Murray, Lara (Dan) Wilson of Dallas, Texas, Melissa (Mark) Kromer of Greenville, South Carolina, and William (Cate) Murray; 16 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brother, T. John (Susan) Murray; sisters, Maureen (Mike) Gergely and Mary Bosrock; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Robert, James, Patrick, and Joseph Murray.

Catholic funeral Mass in Tom's honor will be 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, at St. Peter Catholic Church, 410 Main St., Huron, Ohio, 44839. Private family burial will take place at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Peter's School, 430 Main St., Huron, Ohio, 44839, the Wightman-Wieber Charitable Foundation, in care of Civista Bank, 100 E. Water St., Sandusky, Ohio, 44870, or one's favorite charity.

Foster Funeral Home & Crematory, Huron, is assisting family.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fosterfh.com.