Mike Phillips focuses his practice on estate planning, probate, and trust administration. The cornerstone of Mike’s approach is building long term relationships with his clients built on trust, open communication, and mutual respect.

Mike is calm, compassionate, and enjoys connecting with his clients. From assisting clients in planning their legacy to helping them navigate through the administration of a loved one’s estate, Mike takes the time to understand each family’s unique circumstances and provides thoughtful, nuanced counsel in a way that is easy to understand.

Mike is currently obtaining his Masters of Laws (“LLM”) in taxation at New York University School of Law on a part-time and fully remote basis. Widely considered one of the most prestigious Tax LLM programs in the country, Mike’s affiliation with NYU provides him with access to some of the most influential thought leaders in the area of trust and estate law, as well as innovative planning strategies, both of which provide significant value to Mike and his client relationships.

A Clark County native, Mike takes special pride in serving the community he grew up in. Mike is a past Board Member of the Vancouver Rotary Foundation and is currently an Associate Member of the Estate Planning Council of Southwest Washington. In his spare time, Mike enjoys traveling to new countries, searching for his errant golf shots, and watching sports. Mike is a zealous, unwavering, Washington Huskies fan.

Admitted to practice:

  • State of Washington

  • State of Oregon

Education:

  • Executive LLM, Taxation, New York University (in progress)

  • J.D., Louisiana State University, Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Cum Laude, 2022

  • Graduate Degree in Comparative Law, Louisiana State University, Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Cum Laude 2022

  • B.A., University of Washington, 2018

Professional Memberships & Affiliations:

  • Clark County Bar Association

  • Washington State Bar Association

    • Taxation Section

    • Real Property, Probate and Trust Section

  • Oregon State Bar

Past Experience:

  • NW Legacy Law, Law Clerk, 2021

  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Louisiana, Judicial Extern, 2021

Published Articles & Presentations

  • Co-Editor, Probate in Washington, Thomson Reuters Practical Law (2025 to present)

  • Co-Editor, Ancillary Probate in Washington, Thomson Reuters Practical Law (2025 to present)

  • Estate Planning for the Blended Family, Oregon State Bar Association, Estate Planning and Administration Section (2025)

  • Legal Aspects of Estate Planning for the Tree Farm Owner

  • Washington Farm Forestry Association (2025)

  • Women Owning Woodlands, Washington (2024)

  • Establishing a Strategic Gifting Plan, Estate Planning Council of Southwest Washington (2024)

Community Activities:

  • Estate Planning Council of Southwest Washington, Associate Member (2024 – present)

  • 100 Men Who Care, Clark County, Member (2022 – present)

  • Rotary Club of Downtown Vancouver, Member (2023 – present)

  • Vancouver Rotary Foundation, Past Board Member (2023-2025)

Awards & Recognition:

  • Dean’s Scholar (Top 25% of Class, Spring Semester 2021, Fall Semester 2021, Spring Semester 2022)

  • Notes and Comments Editor, LSU Journal of Energy Law and Resources, 2021-2022

  • Paul M. Hebert Scholar Award (Top 10% of Class, Fall Semester, 2021)

  • CALI Award, Legislation Seminar, 2020