About Phillips Group — Litigation Fresno California

Phillips Group is a Fresno mediation and arbitration practice that supports litigation Fresno attorneys and their clients in resolving civil disputes outside of trial. Founded by James M. Phillips, Esq., the firm works primarily with attorneys and the courts in employment, business, real estate, personal injury, and construction matters. Counsel and parties looking for additional options can browse the litigation attorneys directory.

James Phillips brings more than 30 years of experience and has conducted over 3,500 mediation, arbitration, and referee hearings across the United States and Europe. Before mediating full-time starting in 1992, he practiced civil litigation for two decades and led a litigation department. Because his background spans both plaintiff and defense work, he is regularly engaged on multi-party employment, wage-and-hour, PAGA, and complex business disputes.

What Clients Say

Counsel describe a prepared, even-handed neutral who reads materials carefully and runs efficient sessions. Reviewers note that he understands the underlying law in employment and business cases and pushes both sides toward realistic settlement ranges. Several attorneys mention his willingness to take difficult cases other neutrals have declined. Preparation and pragmatism are consistent themes.

Litigation Fresno — Practice Areas & Services

• Employment disputes, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination
• Wage-and-hour claims, PAGA actions, and employment class actions
• Business disputes, including dissolutions, trade secrets, and unfair competition
• Real estate matters, including non-disclosures, lease disputes, and partition
• Construction defect and contract disputes
• Personal injury, product liability, and wrongful death mediations

Frequently Asked Questions

When should attorneys schedule mediation in a Fresno civil case?

Most cases benefit from mediation after key discovery is complete but before trial-prep costs escalate. In Fresno County, judges often refer cases to ADR at the case management conference. Early mediation can be useful when liability is clear and damages are the main issue.

How does arbitration differ from mediation?

Mediation is a facilitated negotiation — the neutral helps the parties reach their own settlement and has no power to decide the case. Arbitration is binding (or non-binding) decision-making by a neutral acting like a private judge. Many contracts in California require arbitration of disputes; mediation is voluntary unless ordered.

Where are Fresno County civil cases filed?

Civil matters in Fresno are filed at the Fresno County Superior Court Civil Division at 1130 O Street. Larger cases and unlimited civil matters are heard at the same courthouse. Court-connected ADR information is available through the court’s ADR Program office.