Jessica F. Phillips
Jessica Phillips specializes in criminal defense in both state and federal courts. She represents clients charged with misdemeanors and felonies of all types, including DUIs and other traffic-related offenses. She has extensive courtroom experience with both judge and jury, and she is admitted to practice in all local courts, the Supreme Court of Virginia, and the U.S. District Courts. She has extensive experience in federal courts in all types of cases, including white-collar fraud and financial crimes and drug conspiracy claims. She frequently counsels clients who are dealing with protective orders or other ancillary criminal justice system matters.
Jessica graduated summa cum laude from James Madison University and is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law. She began her legal career with Hunton & Williams in Washington, D.C., and quickly realized that she would not be happy until she returned to Central Virginia. In 2004, she joined Payne & Hodous, LLP, and remained there until becoming a partner with Royer Caramanis PLC. Jessica has served as Deputy County Attorney for Fluvanna County and as a part-time prosecutor in the Albemarle County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office. She serves on the nominating committee of the local bar association and is a past president of the local criminal bar association. She is certified in the 16th and 24th Judicial Circuits as court-appointed counsel for indigent defendants. Jessica has served on the boards of the Virginia Discovery Museum and Charlottesville Catholic School.