James Phillips

Mr. Phillips is a founding partner of Katz & Phillips and is experienced in both family law and criminal defense. A graduate of the Mississippi College School of Law, Mr. Phillips began his career in that state, serving the Rankin County Prosecutor’s Office and advocating for abused and neglected children there. While with the prosecutor’s office, he was undefeated. Mr. Phillips relocated to Florida where he served as an Assistant State Attorney for the 1st and 18th Judicial Circuits, prosecuting more than 3,000 cases. Mr. Phillips also has extensive experience with DUI cases, having devoted much of his career as an Assistant State Attorney to prosecuting them.

After working as an Assistant State Attorney, Mr. Phillips entered the private sector, advancing to Senior Associate at a criminal defense/family law firm. The appointment was a record-breaker; he was the youngest attorney ever to achieve this honor with the firm. During his time there, Mr. Phillips defended major felony crimes, both at the state and federal level. His extensive experiences ranges from misdemeanors to felonies punishable by life, and includes sex crimes, internet crimes, manslaughter, murder, robbery and burglary. He served as co-counsel on a capital death penalty trial.

As a family law attorney, Mr. Phillips handles divorces – both uncontested and contested – as well as alimony issues, custody and child support litigation and custody and child support modifications. He’s a staunch advocate of father’s rights, and handles paternity issues as well.

Mr. Phillips’ wealth of professional experience includes the following education and affiliations:

• The National College for DUI Defense
• The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• The Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• The Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• The Federal Bar Association
• The American Bar Association
• The Florida Bar Association
• The Orange County Bar Association
• The Seminole County Bar Association