Attorney For Employers
Paul Phillips has advised and represented employers for 23+ years through all phases and types of employment advice and litigation. This includes multiple jury and court trials and management advice covering the entire employee lifecycle, from hiring to firing. He has advised employers and successfully defended claims of employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful discharge, wage and hour violations, misappropriation of trade secrets and confidential information, unfair competition, labor-management disputes, defamation, privacy, ADA/FMLA, state employment-related torts, employee benefits, OSHA and traditional labor matters.
Paul’s unique exprience also includes 3+ years as in-counsel for International Business Systems-US, subsidiary of a worldwide software company with offices in more than 20 countries. At IBS Paul’s responsibilities included advising executives, managers, and human resources on all aspects of employment and labor law. He supervised employee immigration issues and visa status, and established and implemented a companywide training program for managers and staff on employment law compliance.
At IBS Paul also guided top management on legal matters and their implications on business decisions. He reviewed and advised on legal documents, assisted in negotiating critical contracts, and supervised legal staff. He served as a key legal advisor on major business transactions, judged the merits of court cases filed against or on behalf of the company, worked with the appropriate executives to define a strategic defense, and approved dispute settlements when warranted. Paul partnered with the president in deciding whether to send matters to outside counsel and in selecting/monitoring outside counsel. Paul has been on the “receiving end” of legal services and fees and, as a result, understands value from the small and medium business owners’ and management’s perspective.
Paul is the founder of Phillips Law Office and independently handles employment and labor law matters, including litigation defense for employers, on a contract basis on behalf of Vision Law Corporation®.
Areas of Practice (Employment & Labor, Representing Management Only):
- At-Will Employment
- Class Action
- Discrimination
- Employee Handbook
- Employee Leaves
- Employee Policies and Procedures
- Independent Contractors
- Litigation Defense
- Other Tort Claims
- Preventing Problems
- Retaliation and Whistle Blowing
- Trade Secrets
- Unemployment Insurance
- Unfair Competition
- Unlawful Harassment
- Wage and Hour Law
- Wrongful Termination
Bar Admissions:
- California, 1987
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court Northern District of California
Education:
- Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, J.D., 1986
- Honors: Loyola Law Review; Dean’s List; Am. Jur.; St. Thomas More Honor Society
- University of California, Los Angeles, 1981; B.S., Psychology
Past Employment Positions:
- Phillips Law Office, Founding Attorney, 1994; 2003-present
- International Business Systems, U.S. Folsom, General Legal Counsel, 1998-2002
- Lewis Brisbois Brisgaard & Smith, LLP Sacramento, Partner, Labor & Employment Department, 1995 – 1998
- Diepenbrock, Wulff, Plant & Hannegan, LLP Sacramento, Associate, Labor & Employment Department, 1990 – 1993
- Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP Los Angeles, Associate, Labor & Employment Department, 1998 – 1990
- Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker, LLP Los Angeles, Associate, Labor & Employment Department, 1987 – 1988; Law clerk, 1984 – 1986