Sonia Murphy has extensive litigation experience.  She joined Gilbert LLP after spending six years in one of the most active litigation sections of the U.S. Department of Justice, where her practice included government contracts, government pay and personnel suits, and veteran and other benefit appeals.  Before joining the Department of Justice, Sonia worked at several international law firms and for the U.S. International Trade Commission as an Attorney Advisor to the then-Chairman.  Sonia has represented a diverse range of clients, from major corporations to private citizens.

Sonia joined Gilbert LLP in March 2025.

Past representative matters include:

• Lead counsel for the Government in 30+ cases before the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the United States Court of Federal Claims, and the United States Court of International Trade.
• Served as first chair in misdemeanor and felony criminal trials before the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
• Successfully argued and obtained judgment in favor of the Government after briefing and oral argument in a government contract protest challenging results of $17.5 million IT services procurement.

• 2002 – J.D., Howard University School of Law
  • Merit Scholar
  • Howard Law Journal
• 1999 – B.A., Spelman College
  • National Dean’s List

• District of Columbia
• Maryland
• U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
• U.S. Court of Federal Claims
• U.S. Court of International Trade
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
• U.S. Supreme Court

• Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia, Awards Committee Chair, 2019; Immediate Past President, 2017–2018; President, 2016–2017; President-Elect, 2015–2016; Member of Board of Directors, 2012–2015; Treasurer, 2011– 2012
• District of Columbia Bar, Member of Nominations Committee, 2021
• Rainbow In Black, Founder & Program Director, 2024–Present
• The Gender Cool Project, Member of Board of Directors, 2024–Present
• Fair Chance, Member of Board of Directors, 2022–Present
• Human Rights Campaign Foundation, Member of Parents for Transgender Equality National Council, 2022–Present