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The Schulich School of Law extends its sympathy and condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Michael Emerson Dunphy, QC (LLB ’81), who died in Halifax on Oct. 11 at age 63.

After earning an MBA at the University of Western Ontario, Dunphy pursued a law degree at Dalhousie. He was admitted to the bar in 1982 and had a distinguished career at Cox & Palmer for more than 30 years. He took great pride in his firm and considered his colleagues family.

Dunphy was a leading civil litigator in Atlantic Canada and recognized by the American College of Trial Lawyers, Lexpert, Best Lawyers, and Benchmark – and, most important, by his peers. He conducted himself with class and dignity and was widely respected within the legal community for his insight, judgment, and kindness.

Schulich School of Law Professor and Associate Dean Michael Deturbide was on the board of the Continuing Legal Education Society of Nova Scotia with Dunphy in the early '90s, when Deturbide served as the organization's director.

"Mike instinctively identified the legal education topics that practitioners sought, and his sage advice helped guide the organization to several productive years," says Deturbide. "He loved the law and recognized the importance of continuous learning and law reform."

Cox & Palmer's tribute to Dunphy

The law firm posted this memorial to their esteemed colleague on its website:

“The lawyers and staff at Cox & Palmer are saddened by the passing of their friend and colleague, Mike Dunphy. Mike was nationally recognized as one of the top lawyers in this country. He was a fellow of the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Society of Barristers.

"More than that, Mike possessed inspiring qualities of honesty and integrity. He graced the legal profession with his skill, ethics, and decency. Mike was greatly respected and admired by those who had the privilege of working with him.

"Mike worked extremely hard and his professional demands were significant. Yet, he always made himself available to lend an ear or offer assistance to anyone needing help or counsel. He found time. He had an enormous capacity for genuine friendship and compassion.

"He loved his family, his friends, and his profession, in that order. Mike would have been successful practising law anywhere, but he loved Nova Scotia as this was his home. He certainly will be deeply missed.”