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Deborah J. Phillips

Profile photo for Deborah J. Phillips
Profile photo for Deborah J. Phillips
Of Counsel

Deborah J. Phillips

  • Seattle
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Deborah focuses her litigation practice in complex business and commercial disputes, particularly those arising in probate and trust administration.

Deborah Phillips has extensive experience working with the firm's Private Client Services practice lawyers in advising and counseling clients in all aspects of their work. She has also been actively involved in bar and professional organizations.

Deborah served as the firm's associate/counsel management chair from 2010-2018 with oversight responsibility for evaluation, compensation, and hiring of associates and counsel across the firm's 17 U.S. offices.

Education & Credentials

Education

  • Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., cum laude, 1978
  • University of California, Berkeley, B.A., with honors, 1974

Bar and Court Admissions

  • Washington
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

Related Employment

  • King County Prosecutor's Office, Senior Appellate Attorney, 1984-1987; Deputy Prosecutor, 1980-1984
  • Law clerk and bailiff, Judge George H. Revelle, Jr., King County Superior Court, 1978-1979

Professional Recognition

  • Named "Litigation - Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers in America, 2025

  • Best Lawyers in America: Litigation - Trusts and Estates, 2021-2025

  • Perkins Coie Washington practice ranked Band 1, in Private Wealth Law by Chambers High Net Worth (HNW), 2016-2024

  • Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, 2010-present
    Peer Review Rated AV in Martindale-Hubbell
    (AV®, BV® and CV® are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.)

Impact

Professional Leadership

  • Washington State Bar Association, Real Property and Probate Section TEDRA Taskforce, Chair, 2009-2018; Member, 2003-2009
  • King County Bar Association, Judicial Conferencing Committee 2011-2012
  • King County Probate Manual, Author, 2011
  • King County Bar Association, Judicial Screening Committee, 1998-2008
  • Washington Women Lawyers Judicial Evaluation Committee, 1991-1993
  • Washington Judicial Performance Evaluation Appellate Courts Subcommittee, 1986-1988
  • American Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section Council, 1983-1987; Appellate Delay Reduction Project, Advisory Board, 1982-1987

Community Involvement

  • Mutiny Sands Club Homeowners Association, Board President, 2013-2016, Board Trustee, 2010-2013
  • Montlake Elementary School PTSA, Annual Fund Chair, 2008-2010
  • Program for Early Parent Support (PEPS), President, Board of Directors, 1991-1993; Board of Directors, 1990-1993
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