Phillip is a board-certified OSHA and employment lawyer, litigator, and advisor. He is a strategic, practical, and trusted partner to clients on labor and employment law matters. One of Phillip’s strengths is developing teams and deploying resources to ensure clients receive the best service and results.
In 2023, Phillip was named a Client Service All-Star in OSHA and Employment Law by his clients through BTI Consulting Group, the only independently researched, client-driven ranking of attorneys’ client service. The only way to become a BTI Client Service All-Star is for corporate counsel to identify their top lawyers by name — with no prompts or suggestions — for client service exceeding all others. One client said, “Phillip just gets the business side of things and is practical and resourceful.”
Client Service Philosophy. Phillip has a “down the hall” approach for clients. When they call, he treats it like they just walked down the hall and asked him for help in person. He either solves the problem himself or gets someone who can.
OSHA Inspections, Citations, and Litigation. Phillip and his teams have helped clients with over 200 workplace fatality inspections and several hundred more types of routine inspections. Their goal is to avoid or minimize OSHA citations. Phillip and his teams work with in-house counsel, safety professionals, HR, and executive leadership to navigate through complex and trying times by bringing calm to chaos and a plan to uncertainty. One client’s in-house attorney recently said, “Phillip and his team gave us calm clarity with practical solutions to help our people and our business after we had a fatal accident on one our job sites.”
Through his leadership in responding to a multi-person, high-stakes workplace fatality for a client, Phillip exemplified the firm’s Client Pledge to serve clients at the highest level through value, innovation, quality, collaboration, and communication. The client’s general counsel commented that, “Phillip responded to the crisis with a firm understanding of the legal issues and business impact and lead the team with resolve, focus, and a plan.” (Ogletree Deakins Living the Client Pledge Award 2018.)
Chambers USA has recognized Phillip as a Band 3 leading lawyer in Occupational Safety and Health (2023). His clients told Chambers “Phillip is an OSHA expert, and a highly practical lawyer.” and “He remains abreast of cutting edge issues and works hard to learn the client’s business, so his advice and counsel remains practical and effective. He pays attention to the business’s goals and manages the engagement to deliver what is needed.” Chambers has recognized Ogletree as a Band 1 Firm in Occupational Safety and Health.
OSHA Training and Advice. Phillip works with clients to train and educate safety professionals and management on what to do if OSHA shows up and other related topics. He also advises clients on compliance and regulatory issues.
OSHA Regulatory, Policy Advocacy, and Thought Leader. Phillip represents and advises industry associations and large national employers regarding OSHA’s regulatory and policy initiatives and priorities. He was a leading voice for employers in opposing the COVID Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS), which the U.S. Supreme Court ultimately struck down. Phillip is recognized as a thought leader on OSHA and workplace safety and health legal issues. He hosts the firm’s OSHA podcast Dirty Steel-Toe Boots, has twice edited the ABA’s seminal treatise on OSHA law, regularly posts OSHA updates on LinkedIn, and speaks and writes regularly for industry groups and professional associations.
Employment Litigator and Strategic Advisor. Phillip serves as lead counsel on high-stakes employment litigation matters that pose significant risk to his client’s business. He is also a strategic, practical, and trusted legal advisor on labor and employment matters. Phillip helps his clients by mobilizing firm and third-party resources using his experience, knowledge, and business understanding to drive strategy recommendations.
Personal. Phillip and his wife, Liz, are parents to two adult daughters, Madison and Ally, and one teenage son, Gavin. He loves spending time with his family and boating, diving, spear fishing, fishing, and hunting. Phillip’s first job was bagging groceries and stocking shelves in his family’s grocery stores. He is a Ramblin Wreck from Georgia Tech, and he never wears red and black!
Advocate for Autism Issues and Awareness. Phillip and Liz co-founded Autism Inspired Academy in Clearwater, Florida. The school helps children on the spectrum build and sustain lives of meaning, purpose, and joy. The school has approximately 75 enrolled students, including their 15-year-old son, Gavin.
