10.15.2021

James J. Murray, the managing partner of the Petoskey office of Plunkett Cooney, one of the Midwest’s oldest and largest law firms, was recently re-appointed as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Mackinac Island Community Foundation.

“It’s such an honor to help the Mackinac Island community,” said Murray.  “Continuing my service on the Board, and particularly as its Chair, provides me the opportunity to help focus the Foundation’s resources to promote the safety, health, strength and success of the Mackinac Island community.” 

The Mackinac Island Community Foundation serves the general well-being of Mackinac Island residents and visitors. Its purpose is to raise permanent endowment and special-purpose funds, manage them and distribute the earnings for charitable purposes and to stimulate community-wide initiatives. For example, according to Murray, the Foundation responded to the impact of COVID-19 by establishing the Island Essential Needs fund for the benefit of Island residents and nonprofit organizations that were adversely impacted by the pandemic.  In addition, recently the Foundation, in partnership with the City of Mackinac Island and others, helped develop and construct additional workforce housing. Murray credited the generosity and dedication of many to accomplish these goals.

As a member of the Mackinac Island Community Foundation, Murray works with his colleagues to advance the organization’s goals, which include assisting in raising and managing endowment assets and determining how to spend funds to best benefit Mackinac Island's residents, visitors and the Island unique natural resources.

Since 1998, Murray has been a partner with Plunkett Cooney. His northern Michigan practice includes extensive experience in the areas of business law, real estate, banking, and estate planning. Murray serves as city attorney for the city of Petoskey.

Murray is a member of the American Bar Association and the State Bar of Michigan, as well as a former Board member of the Michigan Legal Defense Fund and the Association of Municipal Attorneys. He is a past President of the Emmet-Charlevoix Bar Association and serves as a member of the grievance panel for the State Bar of Michigan.

Murray received his law degree, magna cum laude, and undergraduate degree from Michigan State University in 1987 and 1982, respectively.

Established in 1913, Plunkett Cooney is a leading provider of business and litigation services to clients in the private and public sectors. The firm employs approximately 150 attorneys in seven Michigan cities, Chicago, Illinois, Indianapolis, Indiana and Columbus, Ohio. Plunkett Cooney has achieved the highest rating (AV) awarded by Martindale-Hubbell, a leading, international directory of law firms.

For more information about James Murray’s reappointment to the Mackinac Island Community Foundation board, contact the firm’s Director of Marketing & Business Development John Cornwell at (248) 901-4008; jcornwell@plunkettcooney.com.

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