Philip B. Phillips

Partner

Philip B. Phillips

Partner

Philip (Phil) B. Phillips counsels and represents business clients across the country in all aspects of labor and employment law, including employment discrimination and harassment claims, ADA and FMLA claims and compliance, FLSA wage and hour claims and compliance, non-competition and trade secrets matters, collective bargaining, and labor arbitrations. He is the former managing partner of the firm’s Detroit office and a member of the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice and Automotive Industry Team. Phil also serves on the firm’s Management Committee.

Phil regularly represents clients before administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, National Labor Relations Board, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, U.S. Department of Labor, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and numerous state agencies. He has successfully handled arguments before the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the Michigan Court of Appeals, and numerous courts across the country.

Phil is a frequent speaker on labor and employment law topics.

Before joining Foley, Philip was an associate at a major Detroit-based law firm and also served as an assistant prosecuting attorney with the Saginaw County (Michigan) Prosecutor’s Office.

Representative Experience

  • Representation of Tier I automotive supplier in FLSA wage and hour collective action.
  • Representation of major retailer in ADA accessibility compliance class action.
  • Representation of Tier I automotive supplier in age discrimination and promotion class action.
  • Representation of Tier I automotive supplier in age discrimination RIF collective action.
  • Representation of supplier in multi-plaintiff harassment case.

Awards and Recognition

  • Named to DBusiness Top Lawyers (2025)
  • Selected by his peers for inclusion in Michigan Super Lawyers® (2012 – 2016)
  • Selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the fields of Litigation – Labor and Employment (2013 – 2024) and Employment Law – Management (2017 – 2022, 2024)

Affiliations

  • American Bar Association
  • State Bar of Michigan
  • Federal Bar Association
  • National Bar Association
  • Wolverine Bar Association
17 June 2024 Labor & Employment Law Perspectives

Supreme Court Hands Starbucks Win Against National Labor Relations Board

On June 13, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Starbucks’ favor in Starbucks v. The National Labor Relations Board, holding that when seeking a Section 10(j) preliminary injunction under the National Labor Relations Act, the National Labor Relations Board must satisfy the traditional four-factor test for a preliminary injunction. 
17 January 2024 Deals and Wins

Foley Represents Barnes Group in Sale of Associated Spring™ and Hänggi™ Businesses

Foley & Lardner LLP served as legal advisor to Barnes Group Inc., a global provider of highly engineered products, differentiated industrial technologies, and innovative solutions, in its entering into a definitive agreement to sell its Associated Spring™ and Hänggi™ businesses to One Equity Partners.
27 November 2023 Labor & Employment Law Perspectives

Ohio Legalizes Recreational Use of Marijuana

Earlier this month, Ohio joined the growing number of states to legalize the recreational use of marijuana.
23 October 2023 Honors and Awards

Phil Phillips Named 2023 Notable Leader in Employment Law by Crain’s Detroit

Foley & Lardner LLP partner Phil Phillips is recognized as a 2023 Notable Leader in Employment Law by Crain’s Detroit Business.
17 August 2023 Honors and Awards

Foley Attorneys Recognized in 2024 Best Lawyers in America

Foley & Lardner LLP proudly announced today that 236 of the firm’s attorneys across 20 U.S. offices have received recognition in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.
17 April 2023 Blogs

Michigan Extends Employment Law Protections to Prohibit Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Although many company equal employment opportunity and no-harassment policies prohibit discrimination or harassment based on sexual orientation and gender identity, not all applicable state civil rights laws provide such protections.