OLC Profiles

Attorney Philip L. Ellison, MBA, JD


Philip L. Ellison
Legal Assistant: Lisa Edgecomb
Tel: (989) 642-0055Philip's practice focuses on representing individuals and businesses in litigation related to property and water rights, civil rights, transparency, and government accountability. He also undertakes various class action suits involving the constitutional violations by governments throughout the State of Michigan. He has been appointed by state and federal judges to serve as class counsel on behalf of thosands of class members across Michigan and beyond. He has also been appointed special counsel by bankruptcy courts to pursue claims on behalf of US bankruptcy trustees. His undertaken cases have resulted in major changes in Michigan law.

Prior to his legal career over the past decade and a half, Philip operated a web design and communications firm where served a variety of clients including various local merchants, internet service companies, and a major regional newspaper. Philip has also served as an adjunct professor of law at Saginaw Valley State University and an adjunct professor of business management at a community college in Mid-Michigan.

Born, raised, and moved back to Hemlock, Philip graduated from Lake Superior State University with degrees in Business Administration and Public Relations as a Senator Philip A. Hart Scholar. He earned numerous awards and honors. He then attended Central Michigan University on a full scholarship where he earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA). Philip then attended Michigan State University College of Law where he focused on complex legal and federal court practice. He served as Co-Editor in Chief of the Journal of Business & Securities Law and externed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Michigan.

With his current practice, he has handled numerous trials and more than 100 appeals from various state and federal courts.

Bar Admissions

  • Michigan Circuit and District Courts
  • Michigan Court of Appeals
  • Michigan Supreme Court
  • US Districts Courts - Eastern and Western Districts
  • US Banktuptcy Courts - Eastern and Western Districts
  • Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
  • US Supreme Court

Honors / Appointments

  • Super Lawyers: 2021 - 2025
  • Super Lawyers Rising Stars: 2016 - 2020
  • Federally Appointed Class Counsel [1] [2]
  • State-Court Appointed Class Counsel
  • Human of Hemlock

Representative Cases

Educational Background

  • Michigan State University College of Law - Juris Doctor (JD) (cum laude)
  • Central Michigan University - Master of Business Administration (MBA)
  • Lake Superior State Univ - Bachelor of Science - Business Admin/Public Relations (minor)
  • Lake Superior State Univ - Associates Degree - Personal Computer Specialist