Phillip J. Wiese

Associate

As a trial lawyer, Phillip J. Wiese focuses his practice on complex commercial and consumer class action litigation on behalf of clients across myriad industries, including financial services, healthcare, and e-commerce. Phillip has represented clients in U.S. federal and state courts through all phases of litigation, from pre-trial strategy assessment to trial and appeals.

Extended Profile

Phillip successfully led the defense of an online travel company facing unfair business practices claims in arbitration, where he examined the witnesses and gave the closing argument. Phillip also led the defense of a large financial institution against a series of class action and individual claims arising out of the mortgage loan crisis. Phillip defended depositions, marshaled the cases through discovery, and oversaw the development of the defensive strategy. While he is adept at counseling clients through legal issues and advocating favorable settlement, he is equally comfortable taking cases to trial.

Phillip has an active and wide-ranging pro bono practice. He successfully obtained U-Visas for victims of criminal activities, and he helped a transgender inmate secure the first-in-the-country sex reassignment surgery.

While in law school, Phillip served as a judicial extern for Judge Virginia M. Kendall in the Northern District of Illinois. He was a journalist at a community newspaper before he attended law school.

selected representations

Represented beer and beverage distributor against beer supplier in breach of contract action. Successfully defeated anti-SLAPP claim in published court of appeal opinion.

Defended RMBS trustees in several class, derivative, and individual actions brought by investors of certificates issued by RMBS trusts alleging claims for, among other things, breach of contract and violation of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

Successfully defended online travel company in arbitrations alleging violations of California’s unfair business practices, including UCL and CLRA. Handled all aspects of the arbitrations including witness examinations and closing arguments.

Defended healthcare provider in California state courts against several consumer class action allegations that the company made false representations in the scope of its network.

Counseled sports technology company in pre-litigation matters involving potential ownership dispute.

Represented financial service company in series of FINRA arbitrations related to broker-dealer fraud.