When someone calls Katz & Phillips, they often feel like the underdog. They face criminal charges, feel overwhelmed, and may believe the government has all the power. One of the people who steps into that fight for them is James D. Phillips, a founding partner of our firm who chose criminal defense because he wanted to protect people when they need it most.
In his own words, he describes criminal defense as “the underdog fight” and talks about why he made this work his life’s focus. Before you meet him in person, you can get a sense of who he is and how he thinks by watching his short bio video below.
Why James Chose Criminal Defense & The Underdog Fight
James traces his path to criminal defense back to his family. He explains that he “always wanted to do something to protect other people” and that he comes from “a long line of military people” who served the country, including his father. Service and protection shaped how he views his role as a lawyer.
He did not follow his family into the military. Instead, he went to college and law school and then looked hard at where he could make the most impact. In the video, he shares that he saw criminal defense as “the best way I could protect those who are at the lowest part of their life in some instances, or just those who have the misfortune of finding themselves being challenged by big, bad government.”
That mindset runs through his work at Katz & Phillips. When someone feels crushed by an arrest, an indictment, or even a request for a police interview, he sees a person who needs a defender and a guide. He brings that sense of duty into every case, whether it involves a misdemeanor, a major felony, or a federal charge.
How A Science Mind Shapes His Criminal Defense Work
Most people expect lawyers to come from a history or political science background. James took a different path. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi. In the video, he explains that this scientific training changes how he approaches evidence and trial work.
He notes that “most lawyers out there come from a background of history, English, political science. I'm a little bit different. My background is in science.” He goes on to explain that he has worked on “the same machines that the government is using to test evidence against you,” and that this gives him a deeper understanding of how those tests work in real life.
That perspective matters in the kinds of cases we handle. Much of modern criminal defense turns on what the science shows, especially in areas like DUI and serious felonies. James points out that his background helps in cases that involve:
- DNA evidence
- Blood or breath testing in DUI cases
- Gunshot residue
- Bloodstain or “bloodshot” pattern analysis in violent crime cases
When he says in the video that having a science background “gives me an edge over most lawyers out there,” he is talking about more than textbooks. He has handled the machines, studied the data, and then brought that knowledge into the courtroom for clients facing DUI charges, violent crime accusations, and other serious offenses.
From Prosecutor To Defender In High-Stakes Cases
James did not start his career on the defense side. As a third-year law student at Mississippi College School of Law, he served as a Certified Legal Intern for the Rankin County Prosecutor. In that role, he handled hundreds of criminal cases and acted as lead prosecutor in multiple DUI trials. That early trial experience gave him a close look at how the state builds a case.
After law school, he moved to Florida and became an Assistant State Attorney for the 1st and 18th Judicial Circuits. There, he prosecuted more than 3,000 cases with a heavy focus on DUI. Those years gave him a detailed view of how prosecutors think, how they use forensic evidence, and where weaknesses often appear in a case file.
He later moved into private practice at a prestigious criminal defense and family law firm. In less than a year, the firm promoted him to Senior Associate and made him the lead lawyer on all major felony cases. That work involved serious charges, complex fact patterns, and clients who often faced the possibility of life-changing sentences.
Today, his practice at Katz & Phillips focuses on DUI Defense and major felonies, including sex crimes, violent crimes, and federal offenses. Over the course of his career, he has represented people accused of:
- State misdemeanors & felonies
- Violent crimes
- Property crimes
- Internet crimes
- Terrorism offenses
- White collar crimes
- Drug crimes
- Felonies punishable by life
- Manslaughter & murder at the State & Federal level
That mix of prosecution and defense work shapes how he looks at every file. When he talks in the video about helping people who feel “challenged by big, bad government,” it reflects his understanding of both sides of the courtroom.
Board Certification, Teaching & Recognition In DUI Defense
James brings more than trial experience to our team. He is board certified* in DUI Defense by the National College for DUI Defense. That credential supports the role he plays in our firm, which is led by partners who hold recognized Board Certification in DUI Defense in Florida.
He also writes and teaches about criminal law. He is a published author in DUI, criminal defense, self-defense, and 2nd Amendment topics. He has written multiple training manuals on DUI Defense and criminal trial strategy that criminal defense lawyers around the country use in their own work.
In addition, he serves as a key speaker at state and national seminars on DUI, criminal trials, and 2nd Amendment issues. At those events, he lectures and trains other attorneys and often gets asked to co-counsel complex DUI and sex crime cases. Colleagues seek him out when a case involves challenging facts, serious charges, or complicated evidence.
Peers and clients have also recognized the quality of his work. For the past 12 years, he has held a Superb rating from AVVO, which is the highest level that organization gives. He is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell and appears on the Super Lawyers list published by Thomson Reuters.
Firearms, Force Science & Real-World Self-Defense Cases
Some criminal cases turn on what happened in a matter of seconds: an alleged threat, a shot fired, a split-second decision to act. James brings specific training to those matters. He is an NRA certified Firearms Instructor, an NRA Range Safety Officer, and a graduate of the Force Science Institute.
That training supports his published work and lectures on self-defense and 2nd Amendment issues. When a case involves weapons or the use of force, he can draw on both legal knowledge and technical understanding of firearms and human performance under stress.
Licenses, Memberships & The Scope Of His Practice
James holds licenses in both state and federal courts. He is admitted to:
- Florida State Bar
- Tennessee State Bar
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
He also belongs to several professional organizations that focus on criminal and federal defense, including:
- 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
- Association of Federal Defense Attorneys
- The Federal Bar Association
These memberships help him stay current on developments in DUI law, federal practice, and criminal defense strategy. They also connect our firm to a broader network of practitioners across Florida and beyond.
What You Hear In The Video Is What Clients Feel In The Room
In just a few minutes of video, you can hear what drives James. He talks about wanting “to protect those that need to be protected,” about standing with people at “the lowest part of their life,” and about the reality of going up against a government with “unlimited funds and fight.” That mix of service, realism, and resolve is the same approach he brings to our clients every day.
As a founding partner of Katz & Phillips, he helps shape the way we handle cases: close attention to evidence, aggressive trial preparation, and a tailored plan for each person we represent. Whether you face a DUI, a serious felony, or a federal indictment, you meet a team built around the values you hear in his story.
If you see yourself in the “underdog” he describes, or if you feel overwhelmed by the charges in front of you, reach out to us at (321) 425-8961. Watching James’s video is a good first step. The next step is a conversation about how we can protect your rights and help you move forward.
