Trial Attorney

John Phillips has spent 25 years in courtrooms from Florida to California, from local civil rights cases to cases that ended up on national television. He has represented everyday people, professional athletes, celebrities, and — just as importantly — the Debbies and Martins and Williams who never expected to need a lawyer and found themselves in the fight of their lives.

He doesn’t settle easy. That reputation precedes him in every courtroom he enters, and insurance carriers know it.

The Credentials

  • Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by The Florida Bar — since 2013. Fewer than 1% of Florida attorneys hold this designation.
  • Licensed in Florida, New York, Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Illinois, Washington D.C., and admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court.
  • Forbes named him one of America’s Top 200 Lawyers (2025) and one of the Top 20 Lawyers in Florida (2025). Editorial selection — not pay-to-play.
  • AV-Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell — the highest peer-review rating for legal ability and ethics.
  • Florida Super Lawyers: 2017–2023. Florida Trend Legal Elite: top 1% of Florida attorneys, multiple years.
  • No copy costs, ever. Clients receive every dollar recovered.

The Verdicts That Matter

  • $495,123,680 — Wrongful death verdict, Duval County (2019). The largest known jury verdict in the history of Northeast Florida. Televised trial.
  • $1.3 million in attorney’s fees — Awarded against the Trump Campaign in the Omarosa NDA enforcement case. The campaign’s lawyers were forced to pay for overreach.
  • $2.6 million — Jury verdict against Volusia County. The case was covered by Good Morning America.
  • $1.2 million+ — RSD/CRPS verdict, Duval County (2017), including attorney’s fees and costs awarded post-trial.
  • $1 million+ — Settlement on behalf of a family whose two-year-old was killed in their own driveway. Resolved in under three months.
  • $939,276.78 — Rear-end collision verdict, Duval County (2011). Final judgment exceeded $1 million.
  • 131 children — Represented against pediatric dentist Howard S. Schneider for dental abuse. Covered by ABC News.

The High-Profile Cases

John has represented clients in matters that became national stories — not because he sought headlines, but because his clients deserved someone who could handle the pressure when the cameras showed up.

  • Jordan Davis — Represented the Davis family in the aftermath of the “Loud Music” shooting. Confidential settlement.
  • Omarosa Manigault Newman — Represented her in the Trump Campaign NDA dispute. Won $1.3M in attorney’s fees against the campaign.
  • YNW Melly — Represented the rapper in a high-profile criminal matter.
  • Tiger King — Represented a party in matters arising from the Netflix series.
  • Gregory Hill — Civil rights case involving a sheriff’s deputy shooting. Resulted in a $4 jury verdict that drew national attention and led to Florida legislation.

How John Approaches a Case

He spent the first eight years of his career on the defense side — representing Coca-Cola, Hertz, State Farm. He was good at it. He switched sides deliberately, permanently, when he realized the work required using his skills to minimize what injured people received.

That background is a weapon. He knows exactly what the other side’s playbook looks like, because he used to run it.

He still answers his own phone. He still takes cases other firms won’t. And he charges on contingency — you don’t pay unless he wins. No retainer. No copy costs. Every dollar recovered goes to the client.

For John’s full list of verdicts and settlements, visit Phillips, Hunt & Walker — Case Results.

Robert Shapiro left a voicemail for John’s wife telling her she had married “the best lawyer in America.” Hear him say it.