Reid L. Phillips

Reid L. Phillips


Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard LLP

Recognized since 2001

Greensboro, North Carolina

Practice Areas

Bet-the-Company Litigation

Commercial Litigation

Litigation - Banking and Finance

Litigation - Intellectual Property

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2023 - Litigation - Banking and Finance Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - Litigation - Banking and Finance Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Litigation - Banking and Finance Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2015 - Litigation - Banking and Finance
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An experienced trial and appellate attorney, Reid Phillips represents companies and their owners in complex business disputes, including defense of class action lawsuits, malpractice claims, and serious personal injury and death claims.

Reid represents businesses and business owners before federal and state courts in lawsuits involving contracts, securities, antitrust, unfair competition, copyright and trademark infringement, and non-compete agreements. His recent experience includes the successful defense of shareholder, customer and employee class action lawsuits in retail, banking, insurance, and manufacturing businesses.

Reid has been the managing partner of Brooks Pierce since 2016.

Recent Results
  • Won defense verdict in state court insurance coverage lawsuit following nine-day jury trial.
  • Won $4 million summary judgment in federal court for seller of corporate assets in dispute over earn-out provision in sales contract.
  • Won federal court dismissal of patent licensing dispute on forum non conveniens grounds.
  • Successfully argued before the North Carolina Court of Appeals to affirm $2.7 million jury verdict in dispute between business owners.
  • Successfully defended bank in class action brought by customers claiming excessive NSF charges.

Contact & Links
Location
  • Renaissance Plaza, Suite 2000
    230 North Elm Street
    P.O. Box 26000
    Greensboro, NC 27420
Education
  • The University of Texas, JD with Honors, graduated 1977
  • The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, BA, graduated 1974
Bar Admissions
  • North Carolina, United States
Affiliations
  • North Carolina Bar Association - Vice-President, Board of Governors (2019-2021)
  • National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel - Member
  • Joseph Branch Inn of Court - Master of the Bench
Court Admissions
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals - 2nd, 4th, 5th Circuits
  • U.S. District Court - Southern District of IL
  • U.S. District Court - Western District of NC
  • U.S. District Court - Middle District of NC
  • U.S. District Court - Eastern District of NC

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2023 - Litigation - Banking and Finance Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - Litigation - Banking and Finance Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Litigation - Banking and Finance Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2015 - Litigation - Banking and Finance
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Litigation - Banking and Finance, Triad (2023)
  • Litigation - Banking and Finance, Greensboro (2019)
  • Litigation - Banking and Finance, Greensboro (2017)
  • Litigation - Banking and Finance, Greensboro (2015)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Litigation - Banking and Finance
  • Litigation - Intellectual Property
Special Focus:
  • Civil Litigation
  • Commercial Disputes
  • Complex Litigation
  • Covenants Not to Compete
  • COVID-19
  • Crossing Accidents
  • FELA
  • Fraud
  • Large Case Litigation
  • Railroad
Awards:
  • Recognized by his peers for inclusion in Business North Carolina's "Legal Elite" in Litigation (2006, 2012-2015)
  • Recognized in Super Lawyers Business Edition for Business Litigation (2015)
  • Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers, 2003-present
  • Awarded the Denise E. Maleska Leadership Service Award by Leadership Greensboro, 2018
  • Recognized as one of North Carolina Lawyers' Weekly's 2017 "Leaders in the Law"
  • Recipient of the John B. McMillan Distinguished Service Award, North Carolina State Bar (2021)
  • Recognized in Business North Carolina's "Power List" (2021-2024)
  • Winner of the Distinguished Service Award, Greensboro Bar Association (2018)
  • Recognized by Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business for Litigation: General Commercial (2008-2024)
  • Recognized by Benchmark Litigation as a "Local Litigation Star" in Antitrust, General Commercial, Intellectual Property, Personal Injury and Securities Law (2016-2023)
  • Recognized in North Carolina Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters) in Business Litigation (2006-2024); Top 100 (2008-2010, 2013-2015, 2018, 2022)
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Professional Malpractice Law

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Publications

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