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Murphy Hawkins is the founder and Principal Solicitor of Cogent Legal Pty Ltd. His diverse educational background includes studies in both the United States and Australia, combining Chemistry and Engineering with commerce and law. Murphy holds a Master of Commerce and a Master of Business Administration from Deakin University, as well as a Juris Doctor degree from RMIT University. Prior to qualifying as a solicitor, Murphy gained valuable experience working in human resources for an ASX 200 company and held roles in banking and finance. He has also owned and operated businesses, providing him with practical insight into the challenges faced by small business owners in Australia. Murphy's legal career includes roles at Balfe and Webb, Canaan Lawyers, and PCL Lawyers before establishing his own practice. He is currently appointed as the Mining Warden for the State of Victoria, a position conferred by the Governor in Council under the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 (Vic). Committed to ongoing professional development, Murphy actively engages with business owners and leaders across Victoria. Outside of work, he is pursuing the study of the Indonesian language.
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Principal Solicitor
Cogent Legal Pty Ltd
Feb 2020 - Present • 6 years 9 months
Mining Warden
The Office of the Victorian Mining Warden
Oct 2019 - Present • 7 years 1 month
Associate Solicitor
PCL Lawyers
Aug 2018 - Feb 2020 • 1 year 6 months
Commercial Litigator
Canaan Lawyers 迦南律師事務所
Sep 2017 - Aug 2018 • 11 months
Solicitor
Balfe & Webb
Jul 2017 - Sep 2017 • 2 months
Law Clerk
Balfe & Webb
Feb 2017 - Jul 2017 • 5 months
Drafting Judgements and Oral Judgements, In acting as Magistrate or Tribunal Member
Council of Australian Tribunals - COAT
2022 - 2022
Juris Doctor, Law
RMIT University
2013 - 2016
Master of Business Administration (MBA), International Law and Legal Studies
Deakin University
2010 - 2013
Master of Commerce (MCom), International Law and Legal Studies
Deakin University
2010 - 2013
Bachelor of Science - BS, Biochemistry
Texas A&M University
1991 - 1997
Last checked: 15 May 2026 • Checked with Victorian Legal Services
