[1] As a partner at Phillips & Cohen, LLP (1988–2013) and before that, in Los Angeles,[2] he practiced public interest law, specializing in whistleblower cases that recovered billions from companies defrauding the government.

During that time, the firm was a major force litigating landmark environmental, civil rights, consumer protection and corporate fraud and accountability cases.

[9]  He worked closely with Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) and then-Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA) to secure congressional passage of the amended False Claims Act with "qui tam" (whistleblower) provisions which were signed into law by President Reagan in October 1986.

Shortly after passage of the amended False Claims Act, Phillips founded in 1986 Taxpayers Against Fraud, a non-profit group that is dedicated to educating the public about government whistleblower programs and advancing public and government support for whistleblower cases.

[12] Phillips invested in a group of houses (a "borgo," or village) in Tuscany in 2001 that were more than 800 years old and were in a ruined state.

[13]  He spent eight years restoring and improving the buildings and grounds, following strict historic preservation rules.