Philip Phillips (lawyer)

Philip Phillips (1807-1884) was an American lawyer and politician, best known for his legal advocacy before the United States Supreme Court, particularly in cases involving civil rights after the Civil War.

Born in Charleston, South Carolina, to a prominent Jewish family, Phillips studied law and was admitted to the South Carolina bar in 1828. He served several terms in the South Carolina legislature and as Solicitor General of the state.

Following the Civil War, Phillips moved to Washington, D.C., where he established a successful law practice focusing on cases before the Supreme Court. He frequently represented Black Americans asserting their rights under the Reconstruction Amendments. One of his most notable cases was Ex parte Virginia (1880), where he argued against discriminatory jury selection. Although the Court upheld the conviction of a judge who excluded Black men from juries, the case established important legal precedents regarding the equal protection clause.

Phillips was also involved in cases related to debt and bankruptcy law. His legal acumen and persuasive advocacy made him a respected figure in legal circles during his time. He also authored legal treatises and writings on constitutional law.