Ann Colville Murphy

Principal

Ann Colville Murphy obtained her law degree at American University’s Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C., and was admitted to the Maryland State Bar in 1999 and the California State Bar in 2006. Prior to attending law school, she worked internationally in election monitoring and democratic development for a Washington D.C.-based non-profit organization.

During law school, Ann completed various internships with organizations in and around Washington, D.C., including the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, the Montgomery County State’s Attorney, and private practitioners in the fields of taxation and consumer advocacy.  Ann was Dean’s Fellow for Professor Herman Schwartz and completed the Federal Tax Clinic wherein she represented disadvantaged taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service and United States Tax Court as a third-year law student. 

Following her graduation from law school, Ann accepted a position as a tax law associate with an international accounting firm where she counseled various corporations, not-for-profit entities and high net-worth individuals with regard to tax planning and reporting.  She then returned to her work in international election law, drafting constitutions and electoral codes for developing democracies and serving as Chief Legal Officer for a United Nations-sponsored election observation mission.

In late 2002, Ann decided to return to the Central Coast where she grew up.  She joined a corporate law practice specializing in community banking, securities and mergers and acquisitions.  After three years with that firm, Ann joined with J. Christopher Toews to form Toews & Murphy, Inc.  Ann and Chris practiced together for ten years before Ann opened the Law Office of Ann Colville Murphy, APLC, in January of 2018.

Ann received her undergraduate degree in Political Science, International Relations with distinction from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1992.  She is married and has two young sons.

Education

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT SANTA BARBARA
Bachelor of Arts, 1992

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY'S WASHINGTON COLLEGE OF LAW
Juris Doctor, 1999

Activities & Affiliations

• Board of Directors of the SLO County YMCA
• Senior Volunteer Services/RSVP
• President of the Board of Directors of Happy Time Cooperative Preschool
• Board of Directors of the San Luis Obispo County Bar Association
• Vice Chair of Women’s Legacy Fund

Bar Admissions

• Maryland, California