Crassweller, James R.

"The nature of men and of organized society dictates the maintenance in every field of action of the highest and purest standards of justice and right dealing. It must include sympathy and helpfulness and a willingness to forego self-interest in order promote the welfare, happiness, and contentment of others and the community as a whole" -- Woodrow Wilson

Gerald F. Phillips' career is the hallmark of ethics and professional standards. With a strong background as a mediator and arbitrator handling hundreds of cases, Mr. Phillips lends his years of experience to assist the other attorneys at Phillips Lerner, A Law Corporation, presiding over a variety of complex family law disputes.

As "Of Counsel" to Phillips Lerner, his reputation is synonymous with "mentor," "leader" and "educator." His written work has been featured in such prestigious publications as AAA Dispute Resolution Journal, California Law Business Magazine, the Los Angeles Daily Journal, Business Law News of the State Bar of California and the Arts and Entertainment Handbook. Mr. Phillips not only writes extensively but also is a valued speaker at law schools, major law firms and corporate seminars on the subjects of mediation and arbitration.

Currently an adjunct professor of law at Pepperdine University School of Law, Mr. Phillips began his career with the prestigious law firm of Phillips, Nizer, Benjamin, Krim & Ballon. One of his partners was the famed Louis Nizer, Phillips was with that firm from 1950-88, first as an associate and then as a partner. For a lengthy period of time, Phillips was also a top executive at United Artists.

Mr. Phillips' career spans more than 50 years in the entertainment industry where he worked on landmark motion picture cases which involved First Amendment issues, censorship and antitrust. He lectures on these cases and their affect on the present industry.

Mr. Phillips holds an AB front Dartmouth College, an MBA from Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth and a J.D. from Cornell University Law School . He is admitted to practice law in both New York and California and before the United States Supreme Court and is a member of the Los Angeles Bar Association's Professional Responsibility & Ethics Committee. He also co-founded the College of Arbitrators and served as president of Dispute Resolution Services.