Stephen D. Phillips, Managing Partner

Stephen D. Phillips

Nearly three decades of experience and distinction

After more than a quarter of a century in the practice of law, Attorney Stephen D. Phillips’ list of achievements and accolades is still continuing to grow. As the son of a successful trial lawyer, Steve knew right out of law school what it takes to get justice for clients when going up against insurance companies and large corporations. His drive, dedication and advocacy prowess earned him a reputation as a tough negotiator who does not back down from a fight.

Steve has led the Phillips Law Offices to our place of distinction among Illinois law firms. He has been named one of the top 100 trial lawyers in Illinois by the National Trial Lawyers and has earned accolades for gaining more million-dollar-plus recoveries for his clients in a single year than any other Illinois attorney. He is an adjunct professor at the Loyola Law School in Chicago and is heavily involved in the Justinian Society of Lawyers, where he serves on the scholarship committee.

We are Illinois attorneys who fight for people injured by transvaginal mesh patches

Steve Phillips and his partners at the Phillips Law Offices have a reputation for tenacity and a proven record of success. Our clients can count on us to be effective and dedicated allies who hold drug manufacturers responsible for their actions. Call us today at 312.620.1199 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a knowledgeable attorney. You can count on us to be by your side throughout the course of your transvaginal mesh case.

Areas of practice

Personal injury
Tort law
Catastrophic injury
Wrongful death
Auto and truck accidents

Construction liability
Medical malpractice
Aviation
Products liability

Admitted

Illinois, 1985
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 1985

Education

J.D., Loyola University, 1985
B.A., University of Iowa, 1981

Professional memberships

Illinois State Bar Association
- 1985–1987 Member
- 1993–Present Member
- 1995–1996 Board Liaison, Young Lawyers Division
- 1995–1997 Board Liaison, South Suburban Bar Association
- 1995–1997 Board Liaison, Justinian Society of Lawyers
- 1995–1997 Board Liaison, Admiralty & Maritime Section
- 1996–1997 Board Liaison, Arab American Bar Association
- 1996–1997 Board Liaison, Justinian Society of Du Page County
- 1996–1997 Board Liaison, Tort Law Section Council
- 1996–1997 Member, Ad Hoc Committee for Judicial Advisory Polls
- 1995–1997 Assembly Member
- 1995–1997 Elected Governor (Cook County under Age 37)
- 1996–1997 Member, Standing Committee on ISBA Properties
- 1997–1998 Member, Standing Committee on Legislation
- 1999–2004 Assembly Member

Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
- 1984–1996 Member
- 1991–____ Chairman, Expert Testimony Exchange
- 1992–1994 Sustaining Member
- 1993–____ Elected Manager, Board of Managers
- 1993–____ Member, Medical Negligence Committee
- 1994–2003 Co-Chairman, Publications Committee
- 1994–____ Contributing Member
- 1995–1996 Parliamentarian
- 1996–1997 Treasurer
- 1996–1997 Member, Special Advisory Committee to the Constitutional Challenge Committee
- 1996–____ Member, Legislative Committee
- 1997–1998 Executive Committee
- 1998–____ Editorial Board, ITLA Journal
- 1999–2000 Treasurer
- 2000 Nominating Committee for ITLA Officers
- 2002–2004 Executive Committee
- 2003–2009 Co-Chairman, Medical Negligence Committee
- 2004–2012 Co-Chairman, Publications Committee
- 2010 3rd Vice President
- 2011 2nd Vice President (President in 2013)
- 2011 President Elect
American Trial Lawyers Association
- Member, 1985–present
- Member, Birth Trauma Litigation Group
American Bar Association
- Member, 1985–1997

Fellow, Illinois Bar Foundation
Justinian Society of Lawyers, Mentor for Mentor Program
Justinian Society Scholarship Committee
John G. Phillips Scholarship Chairman
Loyola University Presidents Club
University of Iowa Alumni Association, Lifetime Member

Selected for the 2010–2011 Edition of “Who’s Who in Collegiate Faculty” by Montclair Publishing

Honors and awards

Elected to Consumer Guide Book — Leading Attorneys in Illinois 1995–present (determined by a state-wide survey of lawyers), published by American Research Corporation
International Who's Who of Professionals (1995), published by Gilbralter Marketing
Strathmore’s Who’s Who Registry (1999–2000 Edition)
Society of Trial Lawyers (1999 to present)
Illinois Network of Leading American Attorneys (2000–present)
Recognized in Chicago Lawyer Magazine as resolving more million-dollar-plus cases than any other lawyer in Illinois in 1999 survey
Inducted into the International Academy of Trial Lawyers 2011 (The Academy is limited to 500 lawyers worldwide.)
AV^® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated^SM by Martindale-Hubbell^®(highest rating for legal ability and ethics)
2005 Illinois Trial Lawyers Association President’s Award
2000–2012 Law and Leading Attorneys Statewide Survey of Lawyers, Leading Lawyer
2005–2012 Illinois Super Lawyers
2008–2012 re-election as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Illinois by The National Trial Lawyers
Chicago Lawyer Magazine survey for the "Most Million-Dollar-Plus Settlements in Illinois" in a single year
Selected for the 2010–2011 Edition of “Who’s Who in Collegiate Faculty” by Montclair Publishing
On June 9th, 2012, Mr. Phillips was elected President of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association at their annual meeting in Oak Brook, Illinois. He is set to become the president of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association in 2013.
Mr. Phillips was awarded a Certification of Publication for contribution as an author for the 2012 edition of “Illinois Civil Practice: Opening the Case” by the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education.
2005 Illinois Trial Lawyers Association President’s Award
2004–2009 Law and Leading Attorneys Statewide Survey Lawyers
Advisory Board — Top five percent of lawyers in the State of Illinois
2005–2009 Recognized as an Illinois Super Lawyer in a statewide survey of lawyers
2006–2008 Loyola University School of Law, Adjunct Professor, Illinois Civil Litigation Prior to Trial
2009–2012 Loyola University School of Law, Adjunct Professor, Illinois Personal Injury Law
2007–2011 Highest rating for Personal Injury Lawyer in Illinois by Avvo.com; also highest ratings for Trucking Lawyer, Brain Injury Lawyer and Birth Trauma Lawyer
2008–2012 Voted Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Illinois by American Trial Lawyers Association (now National Trial Lawyers)
2010–2011 "Who's Who in Collegiate Faculty," Montclair Publishing
April 2011 Inducted as a Fellow in the International Academy of Trial Lawyers (Academy is limited to 500 lawyers worldwide.)
Included in 2012 Top Rated Lawyers Guide to Transportation Law,
The American Lawyer and Corporate Counsel Magazine
2012 Reelected as Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Illinois by the National Trial Lawyers Association
2012 – Top Rated Lawyer. American Lawyer Media and Martindale-Hubbell

Lectures and presentations

05/02/92 – ITLA – Young Lawyers Seminar – “Obtaining and Presenting Expert Witnesses”
09/12/92 – ITLA – Civil Practice “Update and Review Seminar” – Moderator
09/11/93 – ITLA – Civil Practice “Update and Review Seminar” – “Settlement/Kotecki Update/Confidentiality Order”
02/20/95 – ITLA – “The Nuts and Bolts of Handling Automobile Accident Cases” – “Preparing Your Case For Trial”
12/02/95 – ITLA – Medical Malpractice Seminar – “Combating Defense Tactics”
03/13/96 – CBA – Countdown to Trial – “Preparing Your Case For Trial”
09/07/96 – ITLA – Update and Review Seminar – “Structural Work Act and Construction Negligence”
11/11/96 – SBA – Trial Techniques Seminar – Getting a Case Ready; Getting A Verdict - “Opening Statements”
2/07/96 – ITLA – Medical Malpractice Seminar – “Presenting the Plaintiff’s Expert for Deposition”
2/17/97 – ITLA – Maximizing results through settlement and TRIAL – “Prosecuting the Negligence Case”– Opening Statement and Closing Argument
5/3/97 – ITLA – Shot Gun Seminar – “Subsequent Remedial Measures”
9/6/97 – ITLA – Issues, Answers, and Legal Trends. “Liens” 1/29/98 – Valparaiso Law School – Litigation – Plaintiff vs. Defense Practice
2/16/98 – ITLA – Negotiating and Settling Personal Injury Cases – “Initial Settlement Considerations”
8/14/98 – Ross and Hardies Litigation Group Lectures – "Preparing a Case for Trial"
10/19/98 – John Marshall Law School – Preparation and Trial of a Product Liability Case – Plaintiff’s Perspective
12/5/98 – ITLA – "Under the Microscope: The Anatomy of a Malpractice Trial" – Jury Instructions
4/6/99 – IICLE – Modern Medical Malpractice Litigation – “Standard of Care”
10/11/99 – ITLA – Trial Techniques Seminar – Moderator
10/9/00 – ITLA – Anatomy of a Trial Seminar – Handling the Defense Experts
12/9/00 – ITLA – Medical Malpractice Seminar – Investigating the Defense Witnesses
11/29/01– IICLE – How to Depose a Doctor – Moderator
12/8/01 – ITLA – Medical Malpractice Seminar – "Cardiac Cases"
1/19/02 – ITLA – Tort Litigation: "From Intake to Verdict Seminar" – Moderator
5/21/02 – Ross and Hardies Litigation Group Lectures – "Preparing a Case for Trial"
1/18/03 – ITLA – Overcoming Juror Bias Seminar – Trial Story – "Presenting the Case"
3/14/03 – American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine – Occupational Medicine: “Where Medicine Meets the Workplace” – How to Prepare to Testify
5/22/03 – Wilmette Rotary Club, Wilmette, "Illinois Tort Reform – What it Means"
12/6/03 – ITLA – Medical Malpractice Seminar – Obstetrics and Gynecology Malpractice.
3/11/05 – The American Association of Critical Care Nurses, Greater Miami Chapter, Miami Teaching Institute – How to Avoid the Deposition Jitters
4/7/05 – Tort Reform Debate Participant – Hellenic Bar Association
5/7/05 – ITLA – Advocacy Showcase: The Art of Advocacy – A one day Trial. Cross Examination of Plaintiff’s Damage Exert Witness.
12/2/06 – ITLA – Medical Malpractice Seminar – "Crunch Time 120 Days to Trial"
6/27/08 – IICLE – Personal Injury Practice Update – "Top developments in motor vehicle cases, premises liability, product liability, governmental immunity, insurance coverage, etc."
12/6/08 – ITLA – Medical Malpractice Seminar. "Deposing and Cross Examining Defendants and Defense Experts"
2/27/09 – ISBA – Law Education Series – "Sharpen Your Trial Skills – Opening Statement"
3/28/09 – ITLA – Insurance, Liens & Settlements Seminar – "Maximizing Settlement"
4/7/10 – University of Notre Dame – "Depositions of Defendants in Automobile Cases and Medical Malpractice Cases"
5/7/10 – ITLA – Ethics and Professionalism in Personal Injury Practice Seminar – "Client Relationship Issues"
6/23/10 – IICLE – Personal Injury Practice Update – "Emerging Issues for 2010, Jury Instruction Update"
9/10 – Minnesota Lawyers Mutual - 2010 Update: Preventing Legal Malpractice Claims and Ethics Complaints in Your Law Practice-Panelist
2/16/11 –ITLA –Webinar on Medical Literature
2/18/11 – ITLA – Medical Malpractice Seminar Opening Statement
4/6/11 –University of Notre Dame Law School (South Bend, Indiana): Deposition and Cross-examination of Defendants and Defense Experts.
3/5/12 – ISBA – Foundations, Evidence, and Objections Seminar - Jury Selection
3/23/12 – IICLE – Pretrial Preparation in Civil Practice Seminar – How to Choose your Case
3/23/12 – IICLE – Pretrial Preparation in Civil Practice Seminar – Developing a Prosecution or Defense Plan.
4/20/12 – Day in the life videos – a case study. 2012 Spring Symposium – The Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel and the Illinois Insurance Association.
4/23/12 – IICLE – Illinois Civil Practice: Opening the Case.
10/8/12 – ITLA - Update and Review Seminar – Evidence and Procedure.
12/8/12 - ITLA - Medical Malpractice Seminar - Case selection

Publications

1993 – Proving and Disproving Damages in Personal Injury Cases
1993 – Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education. Chapter 1 — Physical Injuries - Plaintiff’s Perspective
1993 – Illinois Structural Work Act Practice 1993 Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education. Chapter 5 — Trial Practice - Plaintiff
1995 – Illinois Politics December 1995 – Viewpoint “Why We Don’t Need a Law Prohibiting Jury Selection Consultants”
1996 – Illinois State Bar Association Bar News Volume 36, No. 14, February 1, 1996 – Jury Selection Consultants Are Needed
1996 – Proving and Disproving Damages in Personal Injury Cases 1996; Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education Chapter I - Supplement for Physical Injuries - Plaintiff’s Perspective
1996 – Letter to the Editor, “Unethical Conduct–Allstate Insurance”. Crain’s Chicago Business, June 3 - 9, 1996, pg. 23, Vol. 19
1996 – Illinois Civil Discovery Practice, 1996 Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education Chapter 2. “Limitations on Discovery”
1996 – Illinois State Bar Association Bar News Volume 37, No. 12, January 3, 1997 – Tort Reform Uninformed
1997 – ITLA Edition of the Medical Malpractice Trial Notebook - Learned Medical Treatises
1998 – Letter to the Editor, Response to “Publishers’ Prerogative” on Tort Reform. Illinois Legal Times. Vol.12, No.131. March 1998
1998 – ITLA Medical Malpractice Trial Notebook — Learned Medical Treatises Supplement
1998 – IICLE - Modern Medical Malpractice Litigation — “Standard of Care”
1998 – ITLA Trial Journal — Lost Pension Benefits in a Wrongful Death Action - A Wrong without a Remedy
1998 – ITLA Medical Malpractice Trial Notebook Supplement
1999 – ITLA Medical Malpractice Trial Notebook – Learned Medical Treatises
2000 – ITLA Trial Journal — The Use and Abuse of Medical Literature, Volume 2, Number 1, Winter 2000
2000 – IICLE Practice Handbook — Proving and Disproving Damages in Personal Injury Cases, 2000 Edition
2002 – Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education “Development of the Case on Fact and Law"
2003 – Chicago Tribune – Voice of the People Letter to the Editor 2/17/03. Medical Malpractice Insurance Premiums
2003 – Chicago Sun Times – Letter to the Editor 7-10-03 "Medical Malpractice Premiums, Legal Malpractice Premiums and Boat Insurance Premiums."
2004 – Present Justinian Society Newsletter "From a Plaintiff’s Lawyer’s Desk" – Quarterly Columnist
2006 – ITLA Medical Malpractice Trial Notebook Supplement
2007 – ITLA Medical Malpractice Trial Notebook Supplement
2008 – ITLA Medical Malpractice Trial Notebook Supplement
2008 – IICLE – Illinois Civil Practice Vol. 1, Chapter 2, Development of the Case on Facts and Law
2011 – ITLA Medical Malpractice Trial Notebook: Learned Medial Treatises and Assistant Editor
2011 – Trial Journal of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association: Winter 2011 - Practice Tips: Cross Examination of the Expert Witness: Rutherford et al vs. Kochell et al.
2012 – IICLE – 2012 Edition, Illinois Civil Practice: Opening the Case.

Representative cases

___ v. Methodist Medical Center, et al., Court No.: 06 L 117, recovery of $17.5 million
___ v. Price Waterhouse Coopers, Case No. 03 L 11042, recovery of $10 million
___ v. Suburban Lung Associates, et. al., Court No. 02 L 04984, recovery of $7.4 million
___ v. Loyola University Hospitals, Court No. 96 L 04665, recovery of $7 million
___ v. Mercy Hospital and Medical Center, et al., Court No. 90 L 6080, recovery of $5.6 million
___ v. Watts, et. al., Court No. 93 L 04210, recovery of $5.1 million
___ v. Frezza, M.D., et. al., Court No. 02 L 008907, recovery of $5 million
___ v. St. Francis Hospital of Evanston, et al., Court No. 86 L 11283, recovery of $4.25 million
___ v. FSC Paper Corp., et. al., Court No. 00 L 6154, recovery of $4.032 million
___ v. Rush Trucking and Gary Turner et al., Court No. 97 L 5791, recovery of $4 million
___ v. Pace Suburban Bus Co., et al., Court No. 96 L 2566, recovery of $3.5 million
___ v. Metrick, Court No. 84 M4 273126, recovery of $3.45 million
___ v. Little Company of Mary Hospital, et al., Court No. 85 L 18457, recovery of $3.4 million
____v. Confidential Defendant, Court No. 05 L 855, recovery of $3.25 million
___ v. Stephen Behnke, M.D., et al., Court No. 02 L 002309, recovery of $3,052,283
___ v. Columbia Michael Reese Hospital, et al., Court No. 99 L 03453, recovery of $2.8 million
___ v. Circle W Tractor & Equipment, et al., Court No. 91 L 2014, recovery of $2.7 million
___ v. ABK Construction, Court No. 04 L 14157 recovery of $2.7 million
___ v. Pace, Court No. 01 L 012443, recovery of $2.7 million
___ v. Children’s Memorial Hospital, et, al., Court No. 04 L 008717, recovery of $2.5 million
___ v. Holy Cross Hospital, et. al., Court No. 96 L 13007, recovery of $2.5 million
___ v. Shipley Co., Court No. 87 L 22709, recovery of $2.5 million
___ v. Zadeh, et. al., Court No. 95 L 00840, recovery of $2,425,000.00
___v. Confidential Hospital, Court No. 08 L 009157, recovery of $2,400,000.00
___ v. Harrison, et.al., Court No. 91 L 2014, recovery of $2,000,000.00
___ v. Hunter, et.al., Court No. 02 L 16138, recovery of $1,950,000
___ v. Loyola, et al., recovery of $1,875,000.00
___ v. Moore, et al., Court No. 86 L 02240, recovery of $1.8 million
___ v. St. Francis, et al., Court No. 81 L 28974, Court No. 96 L 12855, recovery of $1.575 million
___ v. Double D Express, et al., Court No. 09 L 53, recovery of $1,500,000
___ v. Multack, et al., Court No. 08 L 004117, recovery of $1,210,000
___ v. Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center, Court No. 93 L 02134, recovery of $1.35 million
___ v. Abrams, et al., Court No. 01 L 05374, recovery of $1.3 million
___ v. Miczuga, et al., Court No. 84 L 25597, recovery of $1.25 million
___ v. Gardner, et. al., Court #99 l 141251, recovery of $1.125 million
___ v. Rosi, et al., Court No. 90 L 10323, recovery of $1,085,000.00
___ v.Cohen, M.D., Court No. 81 L 3025, recovery of $1.1 million
___ v. Werner Troesken, et al., Court No. 91 L 2014, recovery of $1,090,000
___ v. Roseland, et al., Court No. 01 L 14480, recovery of $1 million
___ v. Ahmadian, Court No. 93 L 9802, recovery of $1 million
___ v. Todd, et. al., Court No. 94 L 14442, recovery of $1 million
___ v. St. Joseph’s Hospital, Court No. 95 L 05838, recovery of $1 million
___ v. Clark Court, No. 98 L 02047, recovery of $1 million
___ v. Subramanian, Court No. 97 L 02951, recovery of $1 million
___ v. Deerbrook Medical Associates, Court #00 L 44, recovery of $1 million
___ v. BlueSky Taxi, et al., recovery of $1 million
___ v. Wilson, et al., Court No. 08 L 010107, recovery of $1 million

Community service

Volunteer baseball coach
Volunteer AYSO soccer coach

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