08/28/2026
Willis Law Adds Michael D. Murray as Of-Counsel Attorney
Willis Law has expanded its Estate Planning division with the addition of Michael D. Murray as an of-counsel attorney. Murray brings more than 30 years of professional experience spanning law, business, higher education, charitable planning, military leadership, and nonprofit service. His career has included military service, practicing with a large law firm, serving as a sales executive with a major corporation, and 15 years at Hillsdale College.
At Hillsdale, Murray led Career Services for six years before spending nine years in leadership roles in the Office of Gift and Estate Planning, advising individuals and families on charitable and legacy planning and leading a team responsible for significant planned gifts to the College.
Murray retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Marine Corps after more than 30 years of service. He served on active duty as a Judge Advocate and Marine Officer Instructor with the Naval ROTC Unit at the University of Michigan, followed by more than two decades in the Marine Corps Reserve in various leadership roles. His Reserve service included a 2006 activation and deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and a 2010 activation with the Office of Military Commissions – Prosecution, serving in the National Capital Region and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Murray first met Michael and Shaun Willis through his Marine Corps service. Following the death of their brother, Corporal Christopher K. Willis, in 2003, Murray served as the bereavement officer assigned to the Willis family and has remained involved with the Foundation formed in Christopher's honor.
“To have Michael join our practice after two decades of friendship is a true blessing,” said Shaun Willis. “He has long been part of the family, and we are pleased to have his help in building a legacy of faith, family, freedom, and firm.”
Murray will focus primarily on estate planning, estate administration, nonprofit formation, and business law. He and his wife, Terri, co-founded Family With A Cause, whose Thanksgiving Day 5K benefiting the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan is now in its 24th year and regularly attracts more than 1,500 participants. Murray was also a founding board member of the Get To Foundation and helped launch its Get To Inspire Speaker Series which empowers high school students through powerful messages of hope, purpose, and Ben Jones' “Get To” legacy of viewing obligations as opportunities.
Murray and Terri have been married for more than 30 years, have three grown children, and are new grandparents.
