Meet Kayla Murphy—Wenatchee Valley’s Criminal Defense Attorney

My path to criminal defense didn’t begin in a courtroom. It started as a kid, sitting next to my dad while we watched Cops and America’s Most Wanted.

At first, I thought I wanted to be a prosecutor. I imagined myself as a kind of law enforcement officer, but instead of carrying a weapon, I’d use my mind to argue for the government and put the “bad guys” away.

However, as I grew older, I realized my true calling was criminal defense. I started to understand that people are dynamic, and criminal behavior often stems from complicated and painful roots. I noticed how harshly people I knew judged themselves when they made mistakes, and it became clear to me that I wanted to stand on the side of understanding, fairness, and second chances. I’ve always rooted for the underdog, and I believe that everyone deserves an advocate in their corner.

I earned my degree in Law and Justice from Central Washington University, where I served as President of the Mock Trial Team and received honors including the Top Cat Award and recognition as Outstanding Graduating Student of the Law and Justice Department. I then attended the University of Oregon School of Law, where I participated in the Criminal Defense and Domestic Violence Clinics and volunteered inside a juvenile detention facility, helping incarcerated youth continue their education. These experiences confirmed that defense work was exactly where I belonged.

Since 2020, I’ve defended people accused of crimes in the Wenatchee Valley. In 2023, I founded K. Murphy Law, PLLC with a mission to empower my community with the knowledge and legal insight they need to navigate the criminal system with confidence and integrity.

A mentor once told me that criminal defense attorneys are janitors, not magicians. I agree — but I also believe there’s something magical about standing up against a powerful adversary and crafting a successful legal argument that protects someone’s rights.

Being accused of a crime is overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone.

.