Phillip C. Hamilton is a nationally recognized trial attorney and litigator with a practice spanning high-stakes civil, criminal, commercial, and regulatory matters in state and federal courts across the nation.
Phillip represents individuals, corporations, and government agencies in complex, high-exposure disputes, including major civil and commercial litigation, white-collar and criminal defense, and regulatory enforcement actions. His work frequently involves cases at the intersection of law, politics, media, and institutional power.
Among his recent civil matters, Phillip represents the estate of Roy C. Hammond in a closely watched federal action involving copyright ownership, royalties, and control of the iconic Impeach the President recording, a case that has drawn national media attention and raises novel questions of intellectual property and artist rights. He also serves as lead counsel in a series of high-profile civil and Title IX actions challenging institutional bias, retaliation, and the misuse of disciplinary processes by colleges and universities. More broadly, Phillip has represented leading Fortune 500 technology and marketplace companies in complex, multi-jurisdictional litigation, including securing dismissals in coordinated federal actions alleging misconduct across multiple districts. His civil practice also includes representing senior executives and professionals facing parallel criminal, civil, and regulatory exposure, including successfully resolving matters involving alleged healthcare fraud, qui tam actions, and internal investigations.
In the criminal and white-collar arena, Phillip has achieved notable trial victories in federal court. He recently secured a Rule 29 judgment of acquittal following a seven-week international sex-trafficking conspiracy trial before the Honorable Eric N. Vitaliano. He has also obtained acquittals for clients charged with obstruction of justice in the Eastern District of New York before the Honorable Rachel P. Kovner and conspiracy before the Honorable Jed S. Rakoff in the Southern District of New York. Phillip regularly defends clients facing serious felony exposure, including complex financial crimes such as bank fraud, wire fraud, and anti-money laundering offenses. He also secured a favorable outcome for a former NBA player charged in a high-profile healthcare fraud prosecution in the Southern District of New York before the Honorable Valerie Caproni.
In the post-Me-Too era, Phillip has developed a nationally respected practice defending individuals wrongfully accused of sexual misconduct. This work spans civil litigation, criminal defense, and university disciplinary proceedings, including Title IX matters. He previously served as an external Title IX Advisor to New York University, counseling students and faculty navigating allegations with significant academic, professional, and reputational consequences.
Phillip is an Adjunct Professor of Law at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, where he teaches a Business of Law seminar and has guest lectured on trial advocacy and litigation strategy at law schools across the country. He has served on judicial screening and advisory committees and sits on the Board of Directors of the New York Metropolitan Black Bar Association, where he has developed deep relationships within New York’s Black legal and political leadership and remains actively engaged in civic and institutional reform efforts.
In recognition of his experience and judgment, Phillip served on the Transition Committee for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. In 2022, New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed him to a four-year term as a Member of the New York State Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct.
Phillip is a frequent legal commentator and analyst. His work and commentary have been featured in The New York Times, and he regularly appears on CNN, MSNBC, BBC World News, Fox News, ABC World News, CBS News, NBC News, Court TV, and the Law & Crime Network.
