Phillip W. DeVilbiss

"I am willing to go the distance when fighting for my clients’ rights. However, at the end of the day, fighting is a means to an end – so ensuring my clients move from emotion to logic is often paramount to realizing their best result in or out of court."

As a litigator and trial and appellate advocate, Phillip DeVilbiss defends people and companies faced with complex issues in state and federal court, including occupational exposure, toxic tort, and commercial litigation claims. His well-rounded litigation experience also gives him the insight to help clients navigate potential problems outside the courtroom.

A native of Southwest Louisiana who has practiced law in Lake Charles, Louisiana, for decades, Phillip brings proven skill to advising on a number of issues, including those associated with oil, gas, and mineral law and general litigation practices. He has represented landowners, negotiated mineral rights, and litigated property damage claims, as well defended toxic exposure cases. He also has experience representing individuals and companies seeking to vindicate their rights in complex commercial litigation.

Phillip is valued by clients and colleagues alike for his nuanced perspective, which helps him to understand what drives the decision-making processes of myriad parties involved in any given lawsuit. He designs legal strategies grounded in the facts and data without eliminating the empathy needed to support his clients who are faced with difficult decisions.

Phillip is known for his keen, tactical mind and legal solutions that are always pragmatic and prompt. His clients respect and trust his judgment and are confident that his research has been thorough and his analysis thoughtful. His earned experience, over many years of practice, allows him to design arguments that are persuasive to judges and opposing counsel alike.

Phillip's reputation, intellectual acumen, and pragmatic approach to guiding clients through difficult disputes are useful in defending large national and multinational industrial clients in cases involving human exposure to dangerous chemicals and significant environmental contamination. He applies his legal, analytical, and people skills to tackle the diverse challenges of litigation involving vinyl chloride, benzene, asbestos, ethylene dichloride, and other harmful substances.

During law school, Phillip participated in the summer study abroad program, where he studied under U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Senior Judge, Henry Politz and former U.S. Attorney General, Richard Thornburgh, while in France. From this experience, Phillip took valuable insight which he still puts into practice today.