John is a native of Franklin, Kentucky.  He graduated from the University of Kentucky, where he was selected to Phi Beta Kappa, and also attended Oxford University.  He received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Kentucky in 1981 where he was a member of the Moot Court Board and the Kentucky Law Journal.

John has maintained a civil trial practice throughout his career.  He was formerly a partner with the Louisville firm of Boehl Stopher & Graves where he worked for 18 years.  In 1999, John was one of the founding partners of Phillips Parker Orberson & Moore, P.L.C.  His association with that firm is easily his proudest professional achievement.  John has developed an inadvertent specialty in the defense of medical malpractice cases, although he continues to enjoy handling a wide range of other types of litigation, including products liability and other high exposure litigation.  He is an AV rated attorney and has been included yearly in The Best Lawyers in America since 1999.  John’s greatest satisfaction comes from the pursuit of excellence in trial practice and the mentoring of young lawyers. John has tried over 50 cases to verdict and has been disappointed only once.

John and Susan Phillips have been married for 25 years and have two children.  When not practicing law, they both enjoy reading, traveling and eating and drinking well.  John is a member of the Board of Directors of The Kentucky Shakespeare Festival and lifetime supporter of University of Kentucky athletics.