Career and work
Murtaugh practices in estate planning, business, and real estate law in Lafayette, Indiana. He founded Murtaugh Law in 2015 and operated it as a solo practice before moving his practice to Stuart & Branigin, where he is now Of Counsel. [2]
His work includes estate planning, business formation and succession matters, and general counsel services for businesses. He has also written and presented on lawyer mental health and well-being, including through the Lawyers Depression Project. [2][6]
What has been publicly discussed
- Murtaugh has described experiencing significant anxiety and depression beginning in high school. During his legal career, he went through periods of depression severe enough that he struggled to remain at his desk, sometimes leaving his office to pace in a back stairwell because of the anxiety and distress he was experiencing. [3]
- In 2019, he publicly documented a depressive episode that lasted more than a week and left him exhausted, overwhelmed, and worried about getting through his workday. He wrote that even with professional help and efforts to manage his condition, depressive episodes could still return. [4]
- Murtaugh has described returning to therapy during his third year of law school after his mental health worsened. After entering legal practice, he sought further psychiatric treatment and ultimately received his Bipolar II disorder diagnosis. [3]
- He has also spoken about using therapy, medication, stress-management techniques, and other coping strategies to manage depression and anxiety. [3]
- Murtaugh has described recovery as an ongoing process rather than a cure. In 2018, he wrote that he had reached a point where his experience with a bipolar diagnosis had added value to his life and work, while acknowledging that he still wished he could be free of the illness. [5]
- He has continued practicing law while describing his mental health condition as chronic and episodic. [3][2]
- Murtaugh co-founded the Lawyers Depression Project, which provides confidential peer support and community for lawyers and other legal professionals experiencing mental health difficulties. He has described connection with other lawyers as a major reason he chose to disclose his own diagnosis publicly. [6]
- Through articles, interviews, and presentations, Murtaugh has encouraged greater openness about mental health in the legal profession while emphasizing that disclosure should remain a personal choice. [1][6]
“I have learned to love and care for my bipolar self.”
— Reid Murtaugh [7]
Sources and other resourcesExpand to view the sources used in this profile and resources to learn more.
Sources used for this profile
The following sources contain information that supports the claims made on this page.
The Indiana Lawyer“Mental Fitness: I’m not scared of the bipolar stigma” Murtaugh’s first published column about his Bipolar II disorder diagnosis, depressive episodes, medication and therapy, and decision to disclose publicly.
Stuart & Branigin“Reid D. Murtaugh” Current professional biography covering his estate planning, business and real estate practice, founding of Murtaugh Law, current role, and mental-health writing and presentations.
Latitude Legal“It’s Okay Not To Be Fine: Promoting Mental Health in the Legal Profession with Reid Murtaugh” A detailed interview in which Murtaugh discusses the beginning of his mental-health difficulties, therapy, medication, diagnoses received over time, legal career, and the Lawyers Depression Project.
View all 7 sources
The Indiana Lawyer“Murtaugh: I endured the pain of depression then stole my joy back” A first-person account of a significant depressive episode in 2019 and Murtaugh’s experience continuing to work while managing a recurring condition.
The Indiana Lawyer“How peer support helped me bounce back, give back” Murtaugh’s account of relapse, recovery, peer support, and how living with bipolar disorder has affected his life and work.
Brian Cuban“The Lawyers Depression Project” Includes Murtaugh’s first-person account of keeping his mental health private, publicly disclosing his diagnosis, and becoming involved with the Lawyers Depression Project.
Above the Law“The Bipolar Lawyer” A detailed first-person profile covering Murtaugh’s Bipolar II disorder diagnosis, depression, treatment, disclosure, legal career, and approach to accepting the condition.
Learn more
Recommended books and other resources about Reid Murtaugh and their experiences.
- “It Is Time to Normalize Mental Health Check-Ups”Harvard Law School Center on the Legal Profession
An article co-written by Murtaugh and other members of the Lawyers Depression Project arguing for routine attention to mental health and earlier support within the legal profession.
- Reid Mental Fitness
Murtaugh’s website, with information about his lived experience, speaking work, legal career, and approach to mental health in the legal profession.