[1][2] She studied at Warrnambool College and then received a scholarship to attend Melbourne Girls' Grammar School and subsequently earned a place in the Law School of The University of Melbourne, from which she graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree with First Class Honours.
The following year, she became an Associate Partner with Gillotts Solicitors (now part of Minter Ellison) in Melbourne.
In April 1993, she became First Academic Secretary of the Victorian Attorney-General's Law Reform Advisory Council.
In 1980, she joined University of Melbourne and in 1993 became Hearn Professor of Law and was subsequently appointed to the positions of: President of the Academic Board, Pro-Vice Chancellor, and, until 2003, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor.
[5] Walker married doctor and former Chief Medical Officer of Australia Brendan Murphy in 1979 and has two sons.