William D. (“Denny”) Phillips (In Memoriam) - Pittsburgh, PA
Attorney at Phillips Froetschel, LLC
Personal Injury - Plaintiff Lawyers in Pittsburgh, PA
310 Grant Street Suite 711 Pittsburgh, PA 15219
- Free Consultation
Pittsburgh Personal Injury - Plaintiff Lawyer
Updated: 02/28/2026
Areas of Practice
- Personal Injury - Plaintiff
- Medical Malpractice - Plaintiff
- Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Business Disputes
Litigation: 100%
Attorney Information
Overview
Remembering William D. Phillips 1938-2024
William D. (“Denny”) Phillips was of counsel to Phillips Froetschel from its founding until his passing in August 2024. He was a trusted confidante, supremely skilled trial lawyer, and beloved father of Phillips Froetschel co-founder Laura Phillips.
Denny was born and raised in Washington, Pennsylvania. He received his B.A. from Washington and Jefferson College in 1959 and his Juris Doctor from Duquesne University in 1962. After law school, Denny served two years in the United States Army and was stationed in Stuttgart, Germany, where he served as Commanding Officer of the 39th Transportation Company. After his honorable discharge, Denny returned to Washington where he worked as an Assistant District Attorney from 1965 to 1967, after which time he entered private practice. He was a co-founder of Phillips and Faldowski, PC, where he practiced with his brother in law Damon Faldowski until Judge Faldowski was appointed to the judiciary. Denny was a partner at Phillips, Phillips Smith-Delach PC in Washington from 2016 until his passing.
Denny was a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only organization consisting of the “most distinguished and accomplished trial lawyers in North America.” He wasc onsistently recognized by the Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania SuperLawyers, and Martindale-Hubbell for his excellence in practice. Denny was a past President and a trustee of the Washington County Bar Foundation, and founding member and former president of the Academy of Trial Lawyers of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Denny is survived by his loving family: wife Sandra, sons Bill and Dennis, and daughter Laura. His grandchildren William and Juliet were the light of his life.
Phillips Froetschel was honored to have Denny as part of our family.
Awards and Honors
Honors
- Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers, 1996 - Present
- Best Lawyers in America, 2006 - Present
- Best Lawyers in Pittsburgh, 2006 - Present
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Rated
- Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice
Education
-
Legal Education
-
Duquesne University School of Law,
Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, 1962
Juris Doctor
-
Duquesne University School of Law,
Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, 1962
-
Non Legal Education
-
Washington and Jefferson College,
Washington,
Pennsylvania, 1959
B.A.
Honors: Dean's List
Honors: With Honors
Major: Economics/Spanish
-
Washington and Jefferson College,
Washington,
Pennsylvania, 1959
Past Positions
- Washington County District Attorney, Assistant DA, 1965 - 1967
- United States Army, Lieutenant, 1962 - 1964
- Phillips and Faldowski, PC, Co-Founder
- Phillips, Phillips Smith-Delach PC, Partner, since 2016
References
-
PNC Bank, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pro Bono Activities
- Washington County Bar Foundation, Past President and Trustee, 2000 - 2010
Representative Clients
Allegheny Energy, Inc.
Representative Cases
-
Bell v. Slezak
- Citation: 812 A.2d 566, 571 Pa. 333
- Year: 2002
-
Lehnig v. Felton
- Citation: 393 A.2d 302, 481 Pa. 557
- Year: 1978
-
Scatteregia v. Shin Shen Wu
- Citation: 495 A.2d 552, 343 Pa. Super. 452
- Year: 1986
-
Voyles v. Corwin
- Citation: 441 A.2d 381, 295 Pa. Super. 126
- Court: 1982
-
Migyanko v. Thislethwaite
- Citation: 419 A.2d 12, 275 Pa. Super. 500
- Year: 1980
-
Bandes v. Klimoski
- Citation: 393 A.2d 1050, 260 Pa. Super. 138
- Year: 1978
-
Vitteck v. Washington Broadcasting Co.
- Citation: 389 A.2d 1197, 256 Pa. Super. 427
- Year: 1978
-
Hargrove v. CNA Ins. Grp.
- Citation: 323 A.2d 785, 228 Pa. Super. 336
- Year: 1974
-
Trinity Area School District v. Dickson
- Citation: 302 A.2d 481, 223 Pa. Super. 546
- Year: 1973
-
Commonwealth v. Shider
- Citation: 224 A.2d 802, 209 Pa. Super. 133
- Year: 1966
-
Pretetori v. Uniservice, Inc.
- Citation: 413 A.2d 787, 51 Pa. Commw. 74
- Year: 1980
Ancillary Businesses
Mediation
Bar Admissions
- Pennsylvania, 1962
- U.S. District Court Western District of Pennsylvania, 1962
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1974
Specialties and Certifications
- Early Neutral Evaluator/Mediator, Western District of PA, 2009
Other Affiliations
- Pennsylvania Association for Justice (Member)
- Academy of Trial Lawyers of Southwestern Pennsylvania (Former President and Founding Member, Current Member)
- Washington County Bar Association (Member)
- American Association for Justice (Member)
- Western Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association (Member)
- Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 2004 - Present (Member, Hearing Board)
- Pennsylvania Bar Association, 1962 - Present (Member)
- Washington County Bar Association, 1962 - Present (Member)
- Allegheny County Bar Association (Member)
Contact
310 Grant Street
Suite 711
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: 412-643-0682
Fax: 412-281-6302
Email: Send a message
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