A Southern California native in MPBF’s Los Angeles office, Joshua Quaye is arguably the most well-traveled and uniquely experienced litigation associate at the firm.
A graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York, Josh holds an Unlimited Tonnage Second Mate license. In his previous career as a licensed merchant mariner, Josh worked in the in the offshore energy exploration and production industry. His first projects were in the Gulf of Mexico, followed by larger projects that took him to India, Africa, Singapore, and finally Brazil where he completed his final two years in the industry. Working abroad provided him the opportunity to interact with individuals from all over the world and from all walks of life.
Concurrent to that, Josh began a second career in the United States Navy Reserve in 2008 as a Strategic Sealift Officer. Today, as a Lieutenant Commander assigned to Military Sealift Command Strategic Sealift Unit, Far East (Singapore), Josh continues to serve the nation by applying his maritime education and years spent at sea. In 2013, having spent more time away from his home than in it, Josh came ashore and began his legal career as a law student at Washington University in St. Louis with the intention of becoming a litigator. He now does just that by balancing an active litigation practice representing overseas insurance syndicates, sharing economy corporations, international airlines, media and entertainment companies, and developers with several pro-bono activities.
One common trait running through each of Josh’s professional endeavors is mentorship. Drawn to MPBF by the firm’s emphasis on mentoring and developing its associates, Josh joined the team in 2021.
“Regardless of whether it was aboard a drillship as a merchant mariner or in service as a reservist, or in the courtroom, mentorship has proven to be key to my personal and professional growth. It is the reason why I joined Murphy Pearson.”
Mentorship is a vital component to the real-world pragmatic approach Josh applies to each legal representation whether the client is in the Fortune 500 or an individual who walks into the office. For Josh, the objective does not change: the client has an issue that needs resolution. The firm’s mentoring program is enabling Josh to define his practice and to lay the foundation for future counseling roles. As part of this pro-bono practice, Josh serves on the LGBTQ+ Lawyers Association of Los Angeles Board of Governors. “Mentorship is important and to help that along in our community we are developing a formal mentor/mentee program. The idea is to create an environment where mentorship relationships happen organically to support attorneys at various stages of their career.”
Josh also contributes his time to the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Veterans Legal Services Project. The Project provides several services including assistance processing expungements related to outstanding tickets and warrants, a common impediment to securing employment.
To learn more about the LGBTQ+ Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, please visit: https://www.lgbtbarla.org/.