Andy Phillips focuses on defamation advising and litigation.

Andy Phillips

Managing Partner & Co-Founder

Andy is one of only 10 attorneys to be recognized by Chambers & Partners as among the best in the United States for High Net Worth: Defamation / Reputation Management. Andy’s practice focuses on a broad range of litigation matters before both federal and state courts, with a particular emphasis on defamation advising and litigation. Andy regularly represents major corporations from a wide variety of industries and sectors, including food production, medical device manufacturing, cybersecurity services, venture capital, and even news media. The common thread is not what these companies make or sell, but the dilemma they face—a hostile reporter intent on publishing a false story likely to cause enormous reputational and economic harm to the company. Andy is an expert at navigating these situations, utilizing his experience dealing with media entities of all stripes, his deep knowledge of the law, and his tenacity to protect his clients’ interests by killing or modifying potentially damaging stories before they get published, or by securing corrections and retractions of inaccurate news stories. Andy also represents individuals facing reputational attacks.

Representative Matters

He served as co-lead trial counsel representing UVA administrator Nicole P. Eramo in her defamation lawsuit against defendants Rolling Stone magazine and reporter Sabrina Rubin Erdely regarding the discredited article entitled “A Rape on Campus.” Andy, along with Libby Locke, Tom Clare, and the rest of the Clare Locke team litigated the case for a year and a half, culminating in a three-week jury trial held in United States District Court in Charlottesville, Virginia in October and November 2016. The jury found the defendants liable for defamation and awarded Ms. Eramo $3 million in damages. Virginia Lawyer’s Weekly included the case in its annual compilation of “Largest Verdicts” for 2016.

Andy has also represented multiple NCAA Division I athletics coaches, including representing former George Washington University men’s basketball coach Michael Lonergan with respect to settlement of employment and defamation-related claims against GW.

Teaching

Andy has taught continuing legal education courses and guest-lectured at universities regarding the law of defamation.

Education

  • Northwestern University School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2009

    • Associate Editor, Northwestern University Law Review

  • Indiana University, B.A., 2006

Experience

  • Clare Locke LLP, 2014-2023

  • Kirkland & Ellis LLP, 2009-2014

Admissions

  • District of Columbia

  • Commonwealth of Virginia

  • Illinois

  • United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

  • United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

  • United States District Court for the District of Columbia

  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia

  • United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia.