Deborah J. Phillips

Exceptional guidance through a complex trust litigation

Our family was facing a highly contentious and emotionally draining dispute over a substantial family trust. The opposing party was aggressive, and the legal complexities involving both trust interpretation and potential appellate issues felt overwhelming. From our first consultation, Deborah Phillips provided a sense of calm, authoritative clarity. Her deep, specific knowledge in Litigation - Trusts and Estates was immediately apparent. She didn't just react to motions; she crafted a strategic, forward-looking approach that anticipated every counter-argument, a skill I now understand is honed through her recognized appellate practice. Her decades of experience, since her Georgetown Law days, translated into a profound understanding of how judges think. Deborah and her team at Perkins Coie were meticulous, leaving no stone unturned in discovery, yet she was always personally accessible, explaining each step in plain English. Her recent recognition as Lawyer of the Year was no surprise to us—she earned that distinction in our case. The result was a settlement far more favorable than we imagined possible, achieved without the need for a protracted trial. Deborah is more than a brilliant attorney; she is a trusted counselor who navigates high-stakes family legal matters with both formidable expertise and genuine compassion. We cannot recommend her highly enough.