Samuel L. Phillips

Partner

San Jose Office
95 Market Street, Suite 400
San Jose, California 95113
Telephone: (408) 535-0870
Facsimile: (408) 535-0878
E-mail: sphillips@bortonpetrini.com

Samuel L. Phillips is the Managing Partner of the San Jose office of Borton Petrini, LLP. Sam received his law degree from the University of San Francisco in 1985. Sam’s particular areas of expertise include environmental law, toxic torts, agricultural law, anti-trust, and employment litigation.

Sam’s legal practice has provided him with experience in numerous categories of legal matters. He has more than 20 years of experience in litigation. In addition, he has handled numerous construction cases, including those involving large and small projects, condominiums, and land subsidence. Other cases he has handled include appellate work, medical malpractice (including pharmacy malpractice), discrimination/wrongful termination, “lemon law,” general farm law, insurance coverage, commercial matters (trademark and trade secrets), product liability, real estate errors and omissions, subrogation, public entity defense (including police brutality), and partnership agreements.

Sam also is a published author, contributing to the body of legal knowledge with such articles as “The Empty Chair Defense,” published in the Fall 1995 issue of California Defense magazine and “Should Parents Be Liable for the Intentional Acts of Their Children” published in the Summer 1999 issue of California Defense. His knowledge in Spanish is another enhancement to his legal practice.

Sam has jury trial experience in over seven California counties concerning areas such as construction, trucking, toxic mold, personal injury, and civil rights matters to name a few. He has appeared before the California Supreme Court in the published case of Etcheverry v. Tri-Ag Service, Inc.

Sam is affiliated with several academic and professional organizations. His university days were the beginning of
his membership in the Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honor Society. His professional affiliations include membership in the Santa Clara County Bar Association, and the Defense Research Institute.

He is a member of the California State Bar Association. He is also admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Northern Districts of California and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Sam is an active participant in the life of his community and is a member in the William A. Ingram American Inn of Court affiliated with the American Inns of Court. His concern for education is reflected in his past service on the St. Stanislaus School Board. He also was a special adviser to the Cerebral Palsy Association.

Sam is married to Anita Gildea-Phillips, and they have two sons, Patrick and Sean.

Contact Card
Printer Friendly Version [pdf]

Education:

• University of San Francisco, B.A., 1982
• University of San Francisco, J.D., 1985

Admitted:

• State Bar of California
• U.S. District Court, Eastern and Northern Districts of California
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Business and Professional Associations:

• Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honor Society
• California State Bar Association
• Santa Clara County Bar Association
• Cerebral Palsy Association, Past Special Advisor
• Defense Research Institute, Member
• St. Stanislaus School Board, Past Board Member
• Ralph M. Brown Inns of Court, Past Member
• William A. Ingram Inns of Court, Member

Publications:

• “The Empty Chair Defense,” California Defense Magazine, Fall 1995
• “Should Parents Be Liable for the Intentional Acts of Their Children,” California Defense, Summer 1999

Printable versions of attorney biographies are in .pdf format. To download a free version of Adobe Reader ®, click on the link below: