Phillip McMurray has served as General Counsel for the Merced Irrigation District since July 2011. Under the general direction of the Board of Directors and the General Manager, Mr. McMurray is responsible for the overall planning, organization, coordination, oversight and management of all the legal affairs of MID. Mr. McMurray provides legal advice and professional legal services to MID’s Board and staff, and oversees the selection and work of consulting attorneys and experts, all with the ultimate goal of protecting MID’s resources for the benefit of its water and energy its customers. His duties require expert analysis, experience and a detailed knowledge of a wide variety legal fields and issues, including for example public agency law and the Brown Act, water rights law, hydroelectric and related energy law, real property law and more. Mr. McMurray represents MID as a legislative advocate, at administrative and regulatory law hearings, and judicial proceedings, at all federal, state and local levels.
Mr. McMurray earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business with a minor in Plant Science from the California State University, Fresno where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2000.
Before MID, Mr. McMurray served as an associate attorney with Linneman, Burgess, Telles, Van Atta, Vierra, Rathmann, Whitehurst & Keene with offices in Los Banos, Dos Palos and Merced. Additionally, he has previously served as an adjunct faculty member at Merced College teaching business and law oriented classes.
Mr. McMurray resides in Los Banos with his wife and three children. In his spare time he enjoys family barbecues, camping, traveling, and coaching baseball/softball for his two sons and daughter.