Legal Elite 2024: Family Law/ Domestic Relations Q&A Kimberly Phillips

Legal Elite 2024 Q&A is sponsored content.

Title: Owner

Other legal specialties: Certified guardian ad litem

Education: Bachelor’s degree, Old Dominion University; master’s of elementary education, Campbell University; law degree, Regent University

Family: Spouse, Jimmy Phillips, and children Austin and Faith Phillips

Career mentors: I consider all my peers to have mentored me along my legal career as they have provided high-level guidance, direction and motivation. Primarily, Jimmy Phillips and my former business partner have helped me navigate various opportunities as well as challenges.

I’m a fan of: A well-prepared attorney; travel; national parks; my golden retriever, Georgia; beaches and my beloved city, Norfolk

Most recent book read: New Testament

What’s the most important advice you give young lawyers about being a guardian ad litem? It is important for a guardian ad litem (GAL) to be fully involved in the litigation process. Not only is a GAL to conduct an independent investigation, a GAL should be prepared to advocate vigorously by presenting their evidence, subpoenaing witnesses, making trial objections, filing pleadings on behalf of the child and making sound arguments to the court on behalf of the child’s best interests.

Each case should be approached with an open mind and a willingness to conduct a thorough investigation as a GAL’s recommendations often have a significant impact on the child’s life as well as the parents.

What did you learn from working as a substitute judge? Working as a substitute judge gave me invaluable insight and perspective into the responsibilities and challenges faced by the judiciary. I think I am more empathetic not only to litigants but also to judges, as the rigor required in adjudicating cases is taxing. The experience helped hone my skills in legal analysis, critical listening, application of the law to the evidence and the overall complexities of legal decision-making.

Read all of the 2024 Virginia Legal Elite here.

Legal Elite 2024 Q&A is sponsored content.