DOUGLAS PHILLIPS
FOUNDER / OWNER
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Douglas Phillips represents clients in their most important matters. His work includes: Helping clients establish, finance, operate, and defend businesses; planning and administering Estates that protect children and families; representing Plaintiffs in civil actions and class actions; and representing Defendants in serious criminal matters . He has successfully defended innocent clients facing life in prison. He is fluent in Spanish and has taken cases to trial on behalf of clients requiring Spanish, French, Persian, and Urdu interpretation.
In 2024, Phillips filed a federal civil rights lawsuit on behalf of client Tyrone Jones, who was assaulted by a Baltimore City Sheriff's deputy and wrongfully imprisoned on dozens of felony charges until Mr. Phillips had the case dismissed a week prior to trial.
Phillips' efforts in 2023 included settlements against a publicly traded mortgage company, several trial wins on behalf of business clients, and the settlement of a multi-million dollar lawsuit for defamation and interference with prospective advantage. Mr. Phillips also obtained the complete dismissal of a 32-count felony indictment for weapons, ammunition, and drug charges based on law enforcement misconduct. In 2023 alone, Phillips represented more than 200 clients in trials, hearings, depositions, and mediations in 16 of Maryland's 23 counties and in the federal court system.
In 2022, Phillips reached a settlement with the City of Baltimore and Baltimore City Schools following the death of high school football star Elijah Gorham. After the settlement, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan signed into law a bill spearheaded by Mr. Phillips and Elijah's family. That bill, the Elijah Gorham Act, upgraded the emergency procedures that apply to all schools in Maryland. Mr. Phillips' work has been featured in the Baltimore Sun, The Washington Post, Fox-45, WJZ-Baltimore, and WBAL-Baltimore.
Mr. Phillips is counsel for regional and local businesses ranging from industrial companies to medical providers to federal and state contractors. He has spoken to trade groups and legal conferences on representing business clients. Phillips was a college athlete at Princeton, earned his law degree from Seton Hall, and worked for large law firms in New York and Washington, D.C. prior to founding Phillips Law Group.
Representative Matters within one year: * Federal Civil Rights lawsuits against city and county governments and agencies * Fraud case against publicly traded mortgage company * Federal class action/collective action settlement for wage theft * Defense of Federal trademark lawsuit (Lanham Act) * Negotiation and renegotiation of commercial leases * Defense of defamation, invasion of privacy, and interference with prospective advantage * Enforcement of employment contracts and non-compete agreements * Contract drafting and negotiation * Representation of business owners for breach of contract claims * Defense of lawsuits against business clients * Representation of landlords for breach of lease, tenant holding over, failure to pay rent, and damage to property * Rent escrow cases on behalf of tenants * Defense of federal criminal weapons charges * Defense of 1st degree attempted murder * Defense of 1st degree sexual assault * Defense of felony kidnapping * Defense of 1st degree and 2nd degree assault * Defense of drug possession * Defense of unauthorized taking of motor vehicles (carjacking and related offenses) * Defense of home invasion, burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, and related offenses * Defense of gun possession and illegal ammunition * Defense of federal and state charges of DUI, DWI, and related offenses
State and Federal Agencies Mr. Phillips has represented businesses and individuals in front of agencies such as: * Maryland Department of Labor (DLLR) * Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC) * Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) * Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR) * U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) * U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) * Zoning and planning departments * County school boards * County Code Enforcement & Inspections
Locations Bel Air Baltimore Annapolis Ocean City Towson Ellicott City
Bar Admissions: * Maryland * United States District Court - Maryland * United States District Court - Northern Illinois (Chicago) * United States Supreme Court * United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
Professional Memberships * Harford County Bar Association * Maryland State Bar Association * Bar Association of Baltimore City * National Association of Realtors (Broker Member) * Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors (Broker Member)
Civic Involvement * Churchville Presbyterian Church * Churchville Lions * Churchville Ruritans * 7 Strong Foundation (in memory of Elijah Gorham) * Booster, Naval Academy Athletic Association (Blue *N Gold) * Youth lacrosse and wrestling coach
"Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder."
- Rumi
"The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom,
and to shun evil is understanding.”
- Job 28:28
Work Featured In:
What we Believe.
"We represent clients with passion because we believe in them. It is a privilege to help a client get a second chance, make a dream into reality, or protect themselves and their family."
- Douglas Phillips