Judge John L. Phillips: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Florida Bar #: 220477 (November 19, 1976)

Appointed By: Gov. Robert Martinez

Biography

The Hon. John L. Phillips (Ret.) served as a judge for the 15th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida in Palm Beach County. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Bob Martinez in 1989. He retired in 2016.


Phillips held assignments in the Family and Probate Divisions of the Palm Beach County Circuit Court.


Prior to his appointment, Phillips was a judge for the Palm Beach County Court, a position to which he was named by Governor Bob Graham in 1986.


Phillips earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Florida Southern College in 1972. He then completed a J.D. at The Ohio State University, Michael E. Moritz College of Law, in 1976.


After graduating from law school, Phillips began his legal career with the Office of the State Attorney for the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, where he worked as an assistant state attorney until 1979. He then entered into private practice as a sole practitioner.

Recent Cases by Hon. John L. Phillips

On September 6, 2025 a municipal ordinance case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge John L. Phillips presiding.

2 Files
Filed

Sep 06, 2025

Judge

Hon. John L. Phillips Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John L. Phillips

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Court Category

MUNICIPAL ORDINANCE

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Agency Action

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 21, 2022

On September 2, 2025 a municipal ordinance case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge John L. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Sep 02, 2025

Judge

Hon. John L. Phillips Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John L. Phillips

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Court Category

MUNICIPAL ORDINANCE

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Agency Action

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 19, 2022

On January 22, 2020 a libel/slander case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge John L. Phillips presiding.

81 Files
Filed

Jan 22, 2020

Status

Judgment on Appeal

Judge

Hon. John L. Phillips Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John L. Phillips

Court

Circuit

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Court Category

LIBEL/SLANDER

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Slander,Libel,Defamation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 03, 2024

On December 1, 2017 a county to circuit appeal case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge John L. Phillips presiding.

15 Files
Filed

Dec 01, 2017

Status

Appealed

Judge

Hon. John L. Phillips Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John L. Phillips

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Court Category

COUNTY TO CIRCUIT APPEAL

Practice Area

Appeals

Matter Type

General Appeals

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 15, 2022

On August 24, 2017 an auto negligence case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge John L. Phillips presiding.

53 Files
Filed

Aug 24, 2017

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. John L. Phillips Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John L. Phillips

Court

Circuit

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Court Category

AUTO NEGLIGENCE

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 23, 2024

On February 15, 2017 a contract & debt case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge John L. Phillips presiding.

23 Files
Filed

Feb 15, 2017

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. John L. Phillips Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John L. Phillips

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Court Category

CONTRACT & DEBT

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 30, 2018

On October 26, 2016 a small estate case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge John L. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Oct 26, 2016

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. John L. Phillips Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John L. Phillips

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Court Category

SMALL ESTATE

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 04, 2022

On October 25, 2016 a notice of trust case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge John L. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Oct 25, 2016

Status

Non-SRS

Judge

Hon. John L. Phillips Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John L. Phillips

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Court Category

NOTICE OF TRUST

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Trusts

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 14, 2022

On October 24, 2016 a domestic violence case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge John L. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Oct 24, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. John L. Phillips Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John L. Phillips

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Court Category

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 13, 2022

On October 20, 2016 a domestic violence case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge John L. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Oct 20, 2016

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. John L. Phillips Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John L. Phillips

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Court Category

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

On October 20, 2016 a repeat violence case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge John L. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Oct 20, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. John L. Phillips Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John L. Phillips

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Court Category

REPEAT VIOLENCE

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

On October 18, 2016 a domestic violence case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge John L. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Oct 18, 2016

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. John L. Phillips Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John L. Phillips

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Court Category

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 02, 2016

On October 18, 2016 a notice of trust case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge John L. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Oct 18, 2016

Status

Non-SRS

Judge

Hon. John L. Phillips Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John L. Phillips

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Court Category

NOTICE OF TRUST

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Trusts

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 30, 2020

On October 18, 2016 a domestic violence case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge John L. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Oct 18, 2016

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. John L. Phillips Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John L. Phillips

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Court Category

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 26, 2016

On October 18, 2016 a repeat violence case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge John L. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Oct 18, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. John L. Phillips Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John L. Phillips

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Court Category

REPEAT VIOLENCE

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 02, 2019

On October 17, 2016 a domestic violence case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge John L. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Oct 17, 2016

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. John L. Phillips Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John L. Phillips

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Court Category

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 07, 2022

On October 17, 2016 a name change case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge John L. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Oct 17, 2016

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. John L. Phillips Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John L. Phillips

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Court Category

NAME CHANGE

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Name Change

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 07, 2022

On October 17, 2016 a domestic violence case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge John L. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Oct 17, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. John L. Phillips Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John L. Phillips

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Court Category

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 01, 2022

On October 8, 2016 a summary administration =>$1000 case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge John L. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Oct 08, 2016

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. John L. Phillips Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John L. Phillips

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Court Category

SUMMARY ADMINISTRATION =>$1000

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 09, 2021

On October 5, 2016 a name change case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge John L. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Oct 05, 2016

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. John L. Phillips Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John L. Phillips

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Court Category

NAME CHANGE

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Name Change

On October 3, 2016 a summary administration =>$1000 case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge John L. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Oct 03, 2016

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. John L. Phillips Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John L. Phillips

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Court Category

SUMMARY ADMINISTRATION =>$1000

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 19, 2022

On September 28, 2016 a dating violence case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge John L. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Sep 28, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. John L. Phillips Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John L. Phillips

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Court Category

DATING VIOLENCE

Practice Area

Criminal

Matter Type

General Criminal

On September 28, 2016 a notice of trust case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge John L. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Sep 28, 2016

Status

Non-SRS

Judge

Hon. John L. Phillips Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John L. Phillips

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Court Category

NOTICE OF TRUST

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Trusts

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 08, 2021

On September 28, 2016 a domestic violence case was filed in the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County. Judge John L. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Sep 28, 2016

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. John L. Phillips Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for John L. Phillips

Court

Palm Beach County

County

Palm Beach County, FL

Court Category

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence