Firm Departments

Phillips and Lyon has developed a process for handling personal injury files efficiently and with an uncompromising standard of professionalism. Our efficiency has helped us successfully practice personal injury law for the past 30 years. Our office has several different departments and this structure works collectively to deliver superior legal services.

Interview Department

Due to statue of limitations, timeliness in a personal injury claim is crucial. At Phillips and Lyon, we meet with new clients typically within 24 hours of the first call to our Firm. Clients may choose to meet at one of our eight convenient offices, a nearby restaurant, the comfort of their own home or if necessary the hospital or doctor's office for the initial interview. Our Interviewer is equipped with a Blackberry and a secure laptop with wireless internet connection to ensure your information is attended to quickly.

Isaiah Bridges is the Intake Specialist at Phillips and Lyon. His duties include: interviewing prospective clients, inputting the information gathered into a computer file, taking pictures of the client's injuries and damage to their vehicle and/or property and briefing the attorney about the new client's file.

When he meets a prospective client it is his job to instill confidence and answer any initial questions which the client may have regarding their case. It is important the client feels confident in the firm's services when hiring us and knows we will handle their case aggressively and with the utmost care. As expected, being injured can cause a lot of stress and worry, but when you hire Phillips and Lyon we take the responsibility of handling all the details so you, the client, can heal. We use an elaborate computer system which enables us to monitor each and every client's case. In addition, it is his job to make sure it is convenient for our clients to meet with him. To make this possible he is mobile! He either meets clients at one of our many satellite offices or travels directly to their home where he can input all of the information into a laptop which is connected to our network at our main office in downtown Phoenix. After meeting with the client and inputting all details into the computer he briefs the attorney on the case and lets the attorney know of any topics in the case the client is most concerned about i.e. Property Damage, Treatment etc.

Isaiah is originally from Southern California and a graduate of Saint Bonaventure High School in Ventura California. He has lived in Arizona for about 6 years. He initially lived in Tucson Arizona where he was a member of the United States Air Force. He was stationed at Davis Monthan Air Force Base and served as a Fireman for 4 years. While in the service, Isaiah continued his education at the University of Arizona and once he completed his four year contract he relocated to Phoenix. The military taught him a strong sense of self-worth, discipline and strong worth ethic, all of which he incorporates into his work at Phillips and Lyon.

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Investigation Department

The Investigation Department is responsible for gathering the who, what, where and why of an accident. Having fresh evidence in a personal injury claim is crucial in building a strong argument against the insurance company and can lead to a larger settlement. Investigating an accident includes but is not limited to obtaining accident reports, photographing vehicles and accident scenes and taking witness statements.

Bryan Seaman was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. He is a licensed private investigator with the State of Arizona and has been working for Phillips and Lyon as their in-house private investigator over 15 years. Bryan's job is to determine the who, what, where and why of the accidents the firm handles. He requests and reviews the accident reports, visits the accident scene and takes pictures of the area to determine if there were any unusual conditions such as a road or construction hazard, broken street light, etc. He also speaks to accident witnesses to find out what they saw, takes photos of the vehicles involved and inspects those vehicles for tire defects, faulty brakes or proof our client was wearing their seatbelt. Slip and fall cases require a lot of investigation and Bryan is an expert at finding out the details of the accident location and speaking with janitors or maintenance people and other people who may have seen the problem area in the past.

All of the information Bryan collects builds a stronger case for our client. Another thing Bryan does is take scar photos for clients who have gone through a major surgery due to the accident, received a scar due to a dog bite or any other injury caused by the accident. It is important for the insurance company to see the initial injury and the progression of the healing processes so we can paint a picture of how much pain and suffering our client really went through. Once Bryan collects and reviews all this data he documents it into our intricate computer system so everyone on the case can have access to the information easily and he briefs the attorney about his findings.

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Legal Assistants Department

The Legal Assistant Department is responsible for processing all the information collected through the interview and investigation. Once information has been compiled, legal assistants oversee and process the necessary elements of a personal injury case which ensure timely conclusion under the direct supervision of a Senior Partner. In addition, legal assistants work with clients to help identify their goals and formulate strategies to reach those goals. Legal assistants talk with clients to ensure their treatment is appropriate and update clients regularly with the status of their case.

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Significant Injury Group

The Significant Injury Group, "SIG" Department, is responsible for cases involving significant physical injuries resulting in severe trauma such as brain injury, paralysis and permanent functional impairment. These personal injury, wrongful death, andmedical malpractice cases require a more in-depth review of the circumstances surrounding those incidents/injuries from an investigation standpoint as well as from a medical standpoint. The "SIG" team works with accident reconstructionists, investigators, and medical personnel to bring the case to a timely resolution under the supervision of a Senior Partner.

The "SIG" team is lead by Senior Partner Gary Phillips. He personally reviews and discusses cases with clients, talks with adjusters and is a critical instrument in preparing for trial when necessary. Henry Hester is the chief litigator at Phillips and Lyon and is a crucial part of this team. Mr. Hester and his paralegal have both been with Phillips and Lyon for over 20 years. In addition, the "SIG" team consists of a legal assistant who has been with the firm 16 years, a legal assistant who has been with the firm 7 years, an investigator who has been with the firm for over 18 years and works hand in hand with all staff members, and a legal secretary who assists all "SIG" team members and has been with the firm for 4 years. The "SIG" team has the most experienced members of our law firm.

Phillips and Lyon hires experienced nurses to review medical records and make recommendations regarding the care our clients should be seeking.

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Arbitration/Litigation

This department handles cases where the insurance company has been uncooperative and unwilling to settle in a reasonable manner. Arbitration is a less formal way of dealing with disputed claims that can be decided fairly, impartially, and privately between the parties with the approval of the court without the expense of litigation. If arbitration is not an option then the litigation department will take charge of the case which is the ultimate conflict resolution in a claim. The litigation staff takes charge of the case until it goes to trial under the supervision of a Senior Partner and the chief litigator.

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