James Phillips
Of-Counsel Attorney
James Phillips is a member of the American Bar Association and the Tennessee Bar Association. He is also a member of the Tennessee Trial Lawyer's Association. He has been admitted to practice in Tennessee and in the United States District Court for Middle Tennessee.
As an Attorney in the Middle District of Tennessee, James has represented numerous divorce and family law clients. He recently represented Country Singer Terry Clark's husband in their Davidson County divorce. He also represents criminal clients and has handled cases ranging from Murder and Rape to simple public intox.
As a military law attorney, while stationed at Fort Campbell as an Army JAG, James served in Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 101st Airborne Division (AASLT) and spent three years at the Fort Campbell Office of the Staff Judge Advocate. He has proudly served as the “Strike" - Second Brigade Combat Team- Trial Counsel, represented more than a thousand clients in his capacity as a Legal Assistance Attorney and Chief of Legal Assistance. At the end of his military career, James was assigned to Trial Defense Services as a Defense Counsel at the Fort Campbell Office for Trial Defense Services Region III. He has also represented numerous clients as a Civilian Defense Counsel.
James graduated from Vanderbilt Law School in May 2001. While at Vanderbilt, he interned with the Nashville Metro District Attorney's Office. He also successfully represented social security clients at administrative hearings while a member of the Vanderbilt Civil Legal Aid Clinic.
Among his other accomplishments, James led the effort to establish the Mosul Office of Judicial Operation (MOJO) in April 2003 in Mosul, Iraq. His office, consisting of two Iraqi Attorneys, two military attorneys and two paralegals, tracked detainee operations and initiated the rebuilding of the Iraqi Judicial System in Northern Iraq. He was awarded a Bronze Star for his efforts in Iraq.
He is currently licensed as an Attorney in both Tennessee and Montana. He is a graduate of the Judge Advocates Officer Basic Course, Airborne School and the Primary Leadership Development Course.
Finally, as a former sergeant with the 18th Airborne Corps Artillery out of Fort Bragg, James is a veteran of the Gulf War. He fondly remembers being a single enlisted soldier.
Bar Admissions
State Bar of Tennessee
U.S. District Court for Middle Tennessee
State Bar of Montana
Education
J.D. - Vanderbilt Law School, 2001