Daniel R. Murray ‘67 receives Lifetime Achievement Award from the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago

Daniel R. Murray ‘67, a member of the Notre Dame Law School Advisory Council and adjunct faculty member, has been honored with the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago. The award was presented at the reception of the 89th Annual Votive Red Mass of the Holy Spirit, traditionally referred to as the Red Mass, on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2023, at Holy Name Cathedral, Chicago.

Over the years, Murray has exemplified dedicated service to his profession, a strong commitment to community service, and steadfast devotion to the Catholic faith and its mission.

He served as the president of the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago in 2016-17. During his term as president, he said he was particularly proud of the Guild's Restorative Justice Project, which was done in conjunction with the Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation in the Back of the Yards neighborhood of Chicago. He received the Catholic Lawyer of the Year Award from the Guild in 2007.

Murray notes that Notre Dame alumni have been very active in the Catholic Lawyers Guild, participating in important projects, including the advancement of the use of restorative justice in the state courts and Catholic schools in Chicago; the care and support of immigrants brought to Chicago from the Southern border; drafting and lobbying for criminal justice reform legislation, including elder parole and juvenile justice bills in the Illinois General Assembly; and organizing opportunities for Catholic lawyers in retreats and other forums to reflect upon the impact of their faith life in their professional career.

“For me, as for them, Notre Dame's advocacy to be "a force for good" becomes more than a slogan,” said Murray.

Murray has spent his legal career at Jenner & Block in Chicago where he served as its managing partner as well as other leadership positions at the firm. His work has focused on corporate bankruptcy and restructuring, commercial law, and secured transactions. He has held numerous leadership positions at Jenner & Block and has successfully represented clients in high-profile bankruptcy matters.

He has written extensively on the Uniform Commercial Code and has been recognized for his work in railroad reorganizations. He is a member of the American Law Institute, the American College of Bankruptcy, and the American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers. Murray has taught corporate reorganization as an adjunct faculty member at Notre Dame Law School since 1997.

Murray earned his A.B. degree from the University of Notre Dame and his J.D. degree from Harvard Law School.