You’ve probably heard the name Jessica Phillips popping up in legal circles lately, and honestly, it’s not just because she’s a heavy hitter in the courtroom. It’s because she recently made one of the boldest moves in Big Law history. For years, Jessica Phillips Paul Weiss was a synonymous pairing—a star litigator at an elite firm known for taking on the toughest cases in the country.
But things changed fast.
Basically, in mid-2025, Phillips, along with a "dream team" of other elite partners like Karen Dunn and Bill Isaacson, walked away from Paul Weiss to launch their own boutique firm, Dunn Isaacson Rhee. Why? It wasn't just about a bigger paycheck. It was about a fundamental clash over values, a controversial deal with the Trump administration, and the desire to litigate on their own terms. If you want to understand the current state of high-stakes litigation, you have to look at what Phillips has been doing.
The Epic Career of Jessica Phillips
Jessica Phillips didn't just stumble into success. Her resume is, frankly, a bit ridiculous. Before she was a partner at Paul Weiss, she was stacking up the kind of credentials that most lawyers only dream of. We’re talking about a Supreme Court clerkship for Justice Samuel Alito. That’s the "Ivy League" of legal training. She also clerked for Judge Joel Flaum on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
When she joined Paul Weiss in 2020 as a partner in their Washington, D.C. office, she brought a very specific set of skills. She isn't just a "paper lawyer" who sits in an office writing briefs; she’s a trial lawyer. She’s taken 14 cases to trial. In the world of Big Law, where most cases settle before they ever see a jury, that number is actually huge.
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Key Wins and High-Stakes Battles
If you look at her track record, you’ll see she’s been at the center of the biggest tech and civil rights battles of the last decade.
- Epic Games v. Apple: Remember the fight over Fortnite and the App Store? Phillips was part of the team that secured a victory for Apple.
- Sines v. Kessler: This was the landmark civil rights case against the organizers of the "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville. Phillips helped win a massive verdict against neo-Nazis and white supremacists. This wasn't just a legal win; it was a cultural moment.
- Oracle v. Rimini Street: She helped secure a $124 million verdict for Oracle in a massive software copying case.
She’s kinda the person you call when your company is facing a "bet-the-firm" lawsuit. Her expertise spans everything from intellectual property and antitrust to employment law and constitutional disputes.
The Paul Weiss Departure: What Really Happened?
So, why leave a firm like Paul Weiss? It’s one of the most prestigious (and profitable) firms in the world.
The drama started in early 2025. The Trump administration issued an executive order that basically targeted Paul Weiss, threatening to pull security clearances and cancel federal contracts because the firm had represented people the administration didn't like—including folks involved in the January 6th investigations.
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Paul Weiss decided to negotiate. They struck a deal to have the order rescinded, but it came with strings: auditing their hiring practices and committing $40 million to pro bono causes that aligned with the administration’s priorities.
For Phillips and her colleagues, this was a bridge too far. They weren't interested in a "capitulation." So, they left. They formed Dunn Isaacson Rhee, a boutique firm that basically said, "We’re going to keep fighting the way we always have, without the corporate compromise."
What Makes Her Style Different?
Honestly, if you talk to people who have seen her in court, they’ll tell you she’s "first-class." Chambers and Partners—which is basically the Yelp for elite lawyers—ranks her as a top-tier litigator for a reason. They describe her as "intelligent, diligent," and someone with "outstanding judgment."
She doesn't just argue law; she tells a story. Whether she’s defending a tech giant or representing victims of hate speech, she has this ability to take complex, boring legal jargon and make it make sense to a jury. That’s a rare gift.
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Beyond the Courtroom
It’s worth noting that Phillips isn't just about the billable hours. She’s been a massive advocate for pro bono work. Her work on the Charlottesville case was largely about holding people accountable for violence, not just winning a settlement. She’s also been a finalist for "Technology Lawyer of the Year" and is constantly making the "Leading Litigators" lists in Lawdragon.
Practical Takeaways: Lessons from the Jessica Phillips Playbook
If you’re a business leader or a rising lawyer, there’s a lot to learn from how Jessica Phillips has navigated her career. It’s not just about being smart; it’s about being strategic.
- Trial Experience is King: In an era where everyone wants to settle, the person who isn't afraid of a courtroom has the most leverage. If you're hiring counsel, look for someone who has actually faced a jury.
- Values Matter in Business: The move from Paul Weiss proves that at the highest levels, brand and reputation are tied to values. Phillips and her team gambled that their clients would value their independence more than the "safety" of a massive firm.
- Specialization within Versatility: While she’s a "general" commercial litigator, she’s become the go-to for tech disputes. Find your niche, but keep your skills broad enough to handle a crisis.
- The Boutique Trend: We’re seeing a massive shift where elite partners are leaving "Big Law" to start smaller, more agile firms. This often results in better service for clients and more freedom for the lawyers.
Jessica Phillips Paul Weiss might be a thing of the past, but Jessica Phillips at Dunn Isaacson Rhee is just getting started. If you’re following the intersection of law, tech, and politics, she’s the one to watch in 2026.
To stay updated on the latest high-stakes litigation trends or to see how the "Big Law" exodus is impacting the market, you should keep an eye on federal court filings and lateral move trackers. These shifts often signal where the next big legal battles are going to be fought.