Phil grew up as a child in Saudi Arabia and later served over eight years as an Officer and Army Ranger, including two combat tours in Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division. Prior to starting his own practice, Phil began his legal career as in-house counsel at Westlands Water District, the largest agricultural water district in the county, where he was quickly promoted to General Counsel. There, he was immersed in the most complex legal and policy issues public agencies face at the national and state levels. Phil currently provides legal counsel to water and other special districts, municipalities, and private clients in areas of the law touching on water, real property, governance, finances, public contracting, and human resources. Phil has spoken at a variety of conferences and seminars on issues of water and resources law and policy and has guest-lectured on aspects of public agency, endangered species, and water law and on the philosophical and moral implications of modern warfare. A thinker at the institutional level, he has published several articles focused on how systems affect behavior and how to improve our institutions while honoring their pedigree. Committed to his community, he looks for ways to improve the lives of his fellow man and serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for Nations Finest, a non-profit for homeless veterans. Key Relevant Positions General Counsel, Panoche Water and Drainage Districts: 2019 – Present Special Counsel, City of Ukiah: 2019 – Present General Counsel, Westlands Water District: 2014 – 2018 United States Army Infantry Officer: 2001 – 2010