James E. Phillips
Columbus Office
Mr. Phillips is a partner in the Vorys Columbus office and head of the white collar defense group. His expertise is in the representation of corporations and individuals involved in criminal or regulatory investigations either as targets, witnesses or victims at the federal, state, and local levels. He also focuses on technology issues as they relate to both civil and criminal matters, including forensic technology, search warrants, and electronic discovery.
Career highlights include:
- Routinely conducting internal investigations for Fortune 500 corporations and providing counsel on such matters as voluntary disclosure and compliance programs
- Serving as Special Prosecutor for the State of Ohio in the largest securities fraud case in the state’s history
- Serving as General Counsel and National Legal Advisor to the National Fraternal Order of Police from 1987 through 1996
- Serving as General Counsel to the National Fraternal Order of Police from 1987 through 1995
Mr. Phillips is a member of the American Bar Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Ohio State Bar Association, the Ohio State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Columbus Bar Association and the Columbus Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Mr. Phillips is an adjunct professor of law at The Ohio State University Michael E. Moritz College of Law.
Mr. Phillips has spoken nationally on matters relating to law enforcement and white-collar crime issues. He speaks at both the American Bar Association National Institutes on White Collar Crime and on Criminal Tax Fraud regarding subpoenas, search warrants, and other governmental means of obtaining physical and electronic evidence.
Mr. Phillips received his J.D. cum laude from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, where he was a staff member on the Case Western Reserve Law Review. He received his B.A. cum laude from Boston University.
Before joining Vorys, Mr. Phillips served as Senior Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Franklin County, Ohio, where he tried over 100 jury trials from 1975 to 1979.
Publications
- "Challenging Search Warrants for Computers," ABA National Institutes on White Collar Crime and Criminal Tax Fraud, 2001
- "Litigating Sealed Search Warrants," The Champion, March 1996
- "Litigating Sealed Search Warrants," Business Crimes Bulletin, November 1995
- "Collective Bargaining and Dispute Resolution for Law Enforcement," National Fraternal Order of Police, April 1988
- "Fair Labor Standards Act - 1985 Amendments," National Fraternal Order of Police, July 1988
- "Ohio Civil Recovery Laws," Ohio Council of Retail Merchants, June 1985
Professional and Community Activities
- The Columbus Bar Association Board of Governors, 2008-present
- The Columbus Bar Association, Bar Briefs, Editor, 1988-1990
- Ohio Center for Law-Related Education, Founder, President, 1984-1996
- American Bar Association Special Committee on Youth Education for Citizenship, Member, 1983-1986
Honors and Awards
- Fellow of the Ohio State Bar Foundation since 1987
- Chambers and Partners, Leading Lawyer in Litigation: White-Collar Crime and Government, 2004-2008
- Ohio Super Lawyers, Civil Litigation Defense, 2004-2008
- Fellow of the Columbus Bar Foundation since 1988