2025 In-House Counsel Awards: Phillip H. Hucles

Number of years with firm: 3

Law school: University of Virginia School of Law (2009)

Legal leadership: As with most in-house attorneys, my role requires me to handle major lawsuits and business crises on a near daily basis. Whenever Sentara appears in the news, it is almost certain that I am involved in the underlying matter. In my role I manage almost all litigation involving Sentara (excepting some health plans lawsuits and malpractice) from class actions involving tens of thousands of individuals to single-plaintiff discrimination claims. While my principal focus has its genesis in Labor and Employment, as an in-house counsel I am asked to take on matters outside of my primary focus, and most importantly, to be a business leader at Sentara. I frequently advise the C-suite on matters from policy, administration, operations, and law.

Pro bono work/community involvement: I previously served on the EVMS Board of Visitors and currently serve on the River Ellis Board, a non-profit organization that focuses on “giving a sunrise” to those in need in our community by providing immediate assistance within hours to families facing unexpected hardships.

Awards/accolades: “Legal Elite” in Labor and Employment from Inside Business, “Top 40 Under 40” from the National Black Lawyers Associate, and membership in both the Virginia and California Bar.

On my identity and background: I have had the privilege of both growing up in the Hampton Roads area and attending great schools that focus on honor, improvement, and giving back. After law school, I relocated to California to broaden my horizons, cutting my teeth at Jones Day before returning to the commonwealth.