Overview
As a student mediator at Notre Dame’s Mediation Clinic, Ayanna has mediated family laws cases including custody, parenting time, and property division issues and has drafted settlements for mediation and divorce. Her experience includes working at a Michigan law firm as a summer associate where she researched Michigan case law and drafted memos for attorneys and assisted with pro bono expungements and adoption and divorce cases. Ayanna also held a role as a family law intern with a legal advocacy center in Chicago where she drafted motions and documents for attorneys, assisted with orders of protection, parentage and divorce cases, and researched Illinois family law guidance to create informational packets.
Ayanna’s commitment to advocacy extends beyond the realm of legal proceedings—she has worked with the Michigan Attorney General’s Office and the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence on legislative and policy initiatives, gaining experience in Title IX and human trafficking issues. Her background also includes leadership and entrepreneurial experience, from managing a minority staffing company to co-founding a small business. Together, these experiences give Ayanna a well-rounded perspective and a practical, client-focused approach to her work.
Ayanna Murphy is a Law Clerk located in the firm’s St. Joseph office. She is a juris doctor candidate at the University of Notre Dame and received her Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Cultures and Politics and Political Science from Michigan State University, where she was on the Dean’s List and a member of the school’s Honors College.
When she’s not studying or working, Ayanna enjoys traveling internationally and singing—especially gospel music. She also enjoys reading. Thrillers are her preference and One of Us is Dead is currently her favorite book.
Primary Practice Areas
All Related Practice Areas
Credentials
Education
University of Notre Dame, juris doctor candidate
Michigan State University, B.A.
Awards & Recognitions
Awards & Recognitions
Michigan State University - Dean’s List: 10 semesters, Honors College
Community & Professional
University of Notre Dame - Black Law Students Association, President Emeritus; NDLS Barristers Trial Team, Member; Public Interest Legal Forum, Public Interest Leadership Council Liaison; Affinity Leadership Council, BLSA Representative; Hispanic Law Students Association, Member; Women’s Legal Forum; First Generation Professionals, Member; Klau Institute Fellow; Judge Willie Lipscomb Jr. Fellow
Michigan State University -James Madison College Women of Color, former Vice President and Treasurer; James Madison College Student Senate, former member; James Madison Latinx Unidos Initiative, former member; Collegiate Black Christians, former member; Sexual Assault and Crisis Intervention Team, former member; MSU Political Science Scholar Advisory Board, former member; Kappa Alpha Pi, alumni