Atty. Phillips L. McWilliams
Phillips McWilliams is a litigator who makes sure he understands his client’s business objectives. He provides a tailored approach to each issue or case a client brings to him with the goal of ensuring the client can reach those objectives, thus ensuring a satisfactory result.
Profile Summary
About Phillips L. McWilliams at a glance
Phillips L. McWilliams is a employment and litigation attorney based in Columbia, South Carolina, practicing at Fisher Phillips LLP. They have 12+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 2014. Admitted to practice in South Carolina, South Carolina Bar (2014), South Carolina, South Carolina Bar (2014), South Carolina, South Carolina Bar (2014), and South Carolina, South Carolina Bar (2014). Educated at The University of South Carolina School of Law (J.D., 2014). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment (2026), Best Lawyers in America — in America (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — from 2021-2025 for work in: (2026). Serands clients in Columbia, SC and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Phillips McWilliams is a litigator who makes sure he understands his client’s business objectives
- He provides a tailored approach to each issue or case a client brings to him with the goal of ensuring the client can reach those objectives, thus ensuring a satisfactory result
- Ultimately, he understands that each company he represents is a business that serves the community and the company can only continue its business if he works to find creative, long-term solutions to their problems
- Phillips regularly counsels employers on a variety of employment and labor issues in an effort to avoid litigation, to include decisions regarding hiring, discipline, investigations, and other related issues
- He also gives talks to management and leadership in companies on harassment, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) compliance, the Family Medical Leave Act and many other areas
- An active litigator and appellate lawyer, Phillips handles lawsuits involving discrimination, non-competition, harassment, defamation, USERRA violations, and other federal and state employment law issues
- He has extensive experience with appeals and argued multiple cases before the South Carolina Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of South Carolina
- Phillips also assists employers in traditional labor law matters
- He has assisted clients facing union campaigns and unfair labor practice proceedings
- Prior to attending law school, Phillips served as an infantry officer in the United States Army attaining the rank of Captain
- While in the military, Phillips spent more than a year in Iraq, leading over 400 combat and nation-building operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom
- During his time in Iraq, Phillips worked with a variety of individuals and institutions, to include regular coordination with foreign nationals and foreign institutions
- This experience taught him the value of working with institutions and companies to help solve problems and set future goals
- As a result, he is not intimidated when undertaking daunting tasks or cases as an attorney
- Phillips’ awards and decorations from his time in the military include: the Bronze Star Medal, the Ranger Tab, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and the Parachutist Badge
- Deeply committed to veteran’s issues, Phillips served as the President of the Service Members and Veterans in Law Society while in law school, has provided pro bono legal services to veterans as part of the Lawyers 4 Vets program at the VA, and serves on the Board for Salute From The Shore
- Phillips resides in Columbia’s Forest Hills neighborhood with his wife and their two young children, Phillips Jr. and Reagan, who is the first girl born into the McWilliams family in 107 years—Phillips Jr. was the 16th straight boy in the McWilliams family
- When not at work, Phillips can be found chasing after his children at Riverbanks Zoo, the Soda City Market on Saturday mornings, or in some other outdoor setting that allows them to run free
- Phillips also enjoys any activity connected with one of South Carolina’s beaches and never passes up an opportunity to cheer on the Gamecocks in person
Practice Areas Explained
Phillips L. McWilliams's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Phillips L. McWilliams handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.
Phillips L. McWilliams is one of 169,120 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in South Carolina →
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Phillips L. McWilliams is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in South Carolina →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in South Carolina
Practicing law in South Carolina. Legal matters in South Carolina are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Columbia are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate South Carolina state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in South Carolina brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in South Carolina courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional South Carolina attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Columbia or all attorneys in South Carolina.
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