Chris Murray named to National Law Journal’s '40 under 40'

Lobby & Policy group partner Chris Murray has been named to the National Law Journal’s list of “D.C. Rising Stars.” The list spotlights 40 attorneys under 40 who stand out as leaders in the private, government, or public interest advocacy arenas in our nation’s capital.

Chris, a 10-year lobbying veteran, has been a partner at Thompson Coburn since early 2013, when the firm brought him and three other colleagues on board to launch its first-ever Lobbying & Policy group.

“Education lobbyist Christopher Murray has fans on both sides of the aisle, using a mix of policy expertise and political savvy to deliver big results for his clients,” the NLJ wrote. “His accomplishments include working confidentially to save a small, nonprofit college from closure and securing legislative modifications for federal programs that serve low-income and minority students.”

Other 2014 ‘Rising Stars’ include attorneys with some of the nation’s largest law firms, as well as lawyers for national nonprofits, legal aid, and the U.S. Department of Justice.

Chris’ day-to-day practice focuses exclusively on the political and regulatory challenges facing the education sector. From K-12 to higher education, from trade associations to technology companies, from universities to charter schools, Chris serves a range of education clients. In each matter, he combines his extensive network of legislative contacts with a highly creative approach to lobbying and coalition-building.

Chris is a frequent speaker and author on various education policy topics, most often on the intersection of technology and education. He and Thompson Coburn partner Aaron Lacey are preparing a forthcoming publication for the American Enterprise Institute on competency-based learning, one of the most promising developments in the delivery of education in decades.

Outside of his day-to-day practice, Chris provides pro bono counsel to a number of organizations and individuals. He’s also active in the National Association of College and University Attorneys and serves on the board of Groundswell, one of the nation's leading clean energy workforce development nonprofits.

Chris received his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School and his B.A. in Government and Theology from Georgetown University.