About Richard G Phillips
Richard G Phillips Jr built his legal foundation in classrooms across the West Coast. He earned a B.S. in Finance from Santa Clara University in 1970. He completed his J.D. at Willamette University College of Law in 1973, then pursued graduate study in taxation at Golden Gate University, taking an M.S. in Taxation in 1979. Those studies gave him a grounding in both the technical rules of tax law and the financial concepts that often determine how cases are framed.
After law school and graduate study he settled into practice in Washington. Over the years he handled matters that brought together tax law and business issues. He has represented clients on matters where tax consequences were central to decision making. His academic background in finance and taxation informs how he approaches transactions and disputes.
His work has spanned both advisory and transactional roles. He has prepared analyses for business owners, advised on tax implications of corporate and estate planning, and assisted with compliance matters. He has also worked on structuring transactions to reflect clients’ financial and tax objectives. Those kinds of matters require careful attention to both statutory detail and practical outcomes.
Colleagues describe him as someone who values clear legal reasoning and careful attention to numbers. He takes a methodical approach to documentation and client explanations. The combination of a business undergraduate degree, a law degree, and a graduate tax degree means he often operates at the intersection of law and finance.
He practices at Phillips Burgess, PLLC. The firm’s work reflects his interest in tax and business issues. He has maintained a practice in Washington for many years and continues to handle matters that draw on his training in taxation and finance.
In day-to-day work he spends much of his time advising clients on tax planning, business transactions, and related compliance questions. He remains active in the practice of law and regularly advises clients at Phillips Burgess, PLLC on tax and business matters.
