Paul Murray - Bluffton, SC
Attorney at Military Justice Attorneys
Military Criminal Defense Lawyers in Bluffton, SC
20 Towne Drive Unit 338 Bluffton, SC 29910
- Free Consultation
Bluffton Military Criminal Defense Lawyer
Updated: 10/22/2026
Areas of Practice
- Military Criminal Defense
- Civil Litigation
- Defense Base Act
- Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
Attorney Information
Overview
Paul is a former Judge Advocate in the United States Marine Corps who focuses his practice on military criminal defense, civil litigation involving service members and veterans, and civilian contractors with claims arising under the Defense Base Act and Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act.
Paul commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2009 and has spent his legal career serving military service members and the contractors who support them. While on active duty, Paul was stationed at MCRD Parris Island where he vigorously represented clients in landlord and tenant law, consumer law, estate planning, contract disputes, family law, Servicemembers Civil Relief Act matters, and many other areas of law. Paul was honorably discharged from active duty in 2017 and continued his service in the United States Marine Corps Reserves, attaining the rank of Major.
In his civilian practice, Paul has extensive experience handling a wide range of Longshore and Defense Base Act cases, including occupational, psychological, and physical injuries, as well as single-event and cumulative trauma claims. Paul has gone up against some of the largest government contracting and insurance companies in the industry and prevailed on behalf of his clients.
His clientele includes U.S. national private security contractors, construction professionals, and linguists supporting the Department of Defense, Department of State, and other government agencies, as well as local national laborers and linguists supporting U.S. military units and bases around the world.
Mr. Murray has been admitted pro hac vice in various other federal courts across the country and has been a member of the South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys and the Association of Premier DUI Defense Attorneys.
Education
Legal Education
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Florida Coastal School of Law, Jacksonville, Florida, 2012
J.D.
Non Legal Education
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University of Illinois, Chicago, 2008
B.A. - Naval Justice School, 2013
Current Employment Position(s)
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Partner
Past Positions
- Judge Advocate, United States Marine Corps, 2012 - 2017
- Partner, Hafemann, Magee, Thomas, 2017 - 2024
Languages
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English
Classes and Seminars
- Veteran Bankruptcies: Unique Debtor Creditor Issues, Service-Member Civil Relief Act, 2016
Representative Cases
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Military Law: Sexual Assault Allegations Involving Three Minors — The service member was accused of sexually assaulting and raping three minors, and the allegations were five years old. The alleged victims’ accounts corroborated one another, and the service member was facing life without parole. The case was disposed of at a summary court-martial with no confinement and a board waiver.
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DUI and DWI: Driving Under the Influence — Three witnesses called 911 to report that the client was swerving all over the road, and police caught up to him and videotaped the swerving. Officers had to help him put on his shoes, and he passed out in his vehicle while an officer ran his license information. Police also found an open container of a vodka drink in the cup holder. The charge was dismissed.
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Military Law: Administrative Separation for Drug Abuse, Positive Urinalysis — The client was processed for administrative separation after testing positive for Adderall. His wife stored her prescription in a Tylenol bottle, and he took the medication believing it was Tylenol. The board found no basis for separation, and the client was retained.
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Military Law: Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR) — The client served when the military was requiring service members to choose how to use their GI Bill benefits. He did not make a designation because he was out-processing and about to begin terminal leave, despite the notices sent to all service members, and he missed the opportunity to transfer his GI Bill benefits to his son. After a successful argument to the board, his military record was corrected to allow the transfer.
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Military Law: Drugs, Firearms, and Sexual Assault Charges — The client was accused of burglary, sexual assault, possession of drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of two firearms, and failure to register weapons on a military installation. The case resolved through a plea agreement for six months at a special court-martial.
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Military Law: Favorable Plea Agreement — The service member was accused of rape, assault with a deadly weapon, domestic violence, communicating a threat, unlawful possession of a weapon on a military installation, and failure to register a weapon. The case resolved with a general discharge and a board waiver.
Published Works
Articles
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"What Can and Cannot Happen at a Police Checkpoint?", Beaufort DUI Law, 2019
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"What to Expect at a Driver’s License Hearing", Beaufort DUI Law, 2019
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"Will a DUI Conviction Get Me Kicked Out of College?", Beaufort DUI Blog, 2018
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"What Happens if You’re Convicted of a DUI in South Carolina", Beaufort DUI Blog, 2018
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"Charged with a DUI? It Could Become Public Information", Beaufort DUI Law Blog, 2018
- "How a DUI Affects Your Right to Drive", Beaufort DUI Law Blog, 2018
- "DUI Law: How Long a Conviction Stays on Your Record", Beaufort DUI Law Blog, 2018
- "How a DUI Affects Your Employment", Beaufort DUI Blog, 2018
- "What You Need to Know About Breathalyzer Tests in South Carolina", Beaufort DUI Blog, 2018
- "South Carolina DUI Charges: What Happens Next?", Beaufort DUI Law, 2018
- "DUI Checkpoints in South Carolina: Are They Legal?", Beaufort DUI Blog, 2018
- "What’s the Penalty for a DUI Conviction in South Carolina", Beaufort DUI Blog, 2018
- "How an Underage DUI Can Significantly Impact Your Life", Beaufort DUI Blog, 2018
- "5 Common Mistakes After Being Arrested for DUI in South Carolina", Beaufort DUI Blog, 2018
- "When Should I Hire a Lawyer for My South Carolina DUI Charge?", Beaufort DUI Blog, 2017
- "Your 4 Basic Rights if You’re Charged with a DUI in South Carolina", Beaufort DUI Blog, 2017
- "Without a Paddle: How Am I Supposed to Get to Work After a DUI Conviction in South Carolina?", Beaufort DUI Blog, 2017
- "What Happens if I Refuse a Field Sobriety Test in South Carolina?", Beaufort DUI Law, 2017
- "Understanding Field Sobriety Tests in South Carolina", Beaufort DUI Blog, 2017
- "Protect Your Livelihood with an Aggressive DUI Defense for Commercial Drivers", Beaufort DUI Blog, 2017
Bar Admissions
- Georgia, 2018
- South Carolina, 2017
- Illinois, 2012
Other Affiliations
- South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys (Member)
- Association of Premier DUI Defense Attorneys (Member)
- Workers Injury Law Group (WILG), 2019 - Present (Member)
- American Bar Association, 2013 - Present (Member)
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2017 - 2024 (Member)
- Illinois State Bar Association, 2012 - 2013 (Member)
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