1735 Market Street
21st Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103-7505
P: 215-772-7283
F: 215-731-3781
Biography
A. Nicole Phillips is a partner in Montgomery McCracken’s Litigation Department and a member of the firm’s White Collar and Government Investigations group. She focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation, white collar crime and government investigations.
Prior to joining Montgomery McCracken, Nicole served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) in the Criminal Division of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. As an AUSA in the Narcotics Unit, Nicole prosecuted individuals for federal drug trafficking offenses, public corruption, tax and bank fraud conspiracies, and Hobbs Act robbery. Among her accomplishments as an AUSA, Nicole successfully prosecuted a tax matter resulting in the defendants pleading guilty and paying restitution to the IRS in excess of $5,000,000. Nicole also served as member of the Office’s hiring committee and co-chair of its summer intern program. While serving as an AUSA, Nicole instructed students on federal and criminal trial advocacy at Temple University Beasley School of Law.
Prior to serving as an AUSA, Nicole served as an Assistant District Attorney with the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office where she litigated preliminary hearings, felony and misdemeanor bench trials, jury trials and various motions before the Municipal and Common Pleas Courts of Philadelphia, worked with members of the Philadelphia Police Department to investigate and prepare cases for trial, researched and prepared letter briefs to the Pennsylvania Superior Court in response to direct appeals and post-conviction relief appeals, and argued before the Pennsylvania Superior Court.
In addition to her career as a practicing attorney, Nicole served as the Senior Director for Career Planning at Temple University Beasley School of Law.
Selected Publications
- Noted in, “Women of Distinction 2020: A. Nicole Tate Phillips, Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads LLP,” Philadelphia Business Journal, November 2020
- Noted in, “Philadelphia City Council Reviewing Police Department’s Alleged Excessive Force During George Floyd Protests,” CBS Philly, October 2020
- Author, “I’m a lawyer investigating Philly police’s response to protests — and I need your help,” The Philadelphia Inquirer, September 2020
- Noted in, “Montgomery McCracken To Probe Philly PD Protest Response,” Law360, June 2020
- Noted in, “DA Krasner threatens to charge federal agents if they act in Philadelphia,” KYW Newsradio, June 2020
- Co-author, “As COVID-19-Related Fraud Increases, the SEC Ramps Up Enforcement and Investors File Suit,” June 2020
- Co-author, “As COVID-19 Spreads, Possibilities for Bail or Release of At-Risk Inmates: Practice Points,” April 2020
- Co-author, “As COVID-19 Spreads, Possibilities Arise for Bail or Release of At-Risk Inmates,” April 2020
- Co-author, “Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fraud: What to Look For and How to Protect Yourself,” March 2020
- Quoted in, “Montgomery McCracken’s White Collar Team Adds Prosecutor,” Law360, June 2019
- Co-author, “Vessel Forfeiture Issues for Carriers Involved in U.S. Government Drug Trafficking or Other Criminal Investigations,” July 2019
Selected Speaking Engagements
- Panelist, “Ethical Internal Investigations: Protecting the Company, the Individual and Yourself,” Lawline, December 2020
- Panelist, “Wildlife Trafficking in the Maritime Industry: Risks for You and Your Maritime Clients to Be Aware Of,” American Bar Association, December 2020
- Panelist, Discussing Policing and Criminal Justice Reform and Challenges to Reform, Arcadia University, September 12, 2020
- Co-presenter, “The Impact of COVID-19 on the Pennsylvania Inmate,” Pennsylvania Bar Institute, May 2020
- Co-presenter, “There’s a Rule for That: Ethical Issues in Criminal Defense,” Pennsylvania Bar Institute, December 2019
- Presenter, “Sentencing in White Collar Cases: Preparing for Sentencing From the Pre-Sentence Investigation Interview to the Sentencing Hearing,” Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers 2019 White Collar Practice Seminar, November 2019
- Co-presenter, “Introduction to U.S. Criminal Law: Federal & State Drug Laws & Sentencing Practices and Procedures,” University of Pennsylvania Law School, August 5, 2019
Community Involvement
Nicole’s community involvement includes the Supervision to Aid Re-Entry (“STAR”) Court in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, which provides support and programming for individuals reentering the community after serving federal sentences, serving as a Board Member of Philadelphia VIP, a Member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women – Pennsylvania Chapter, and an Associate Minister at the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church. Nicole has also served as volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and the Philadelphia READS program.
Honors & Awards
- Philadelphia Business Journal‘s Women of Distinction 2020
Professional Activities & Achievements
- Montgomery Bar Association
- Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia
- Women’s White Collar Defense Association
- University of Pennsylvania School of Law Inn of Court
Academic Achievements
Nicole received her J.D. degree from Northeastern University. She earned her B.A. degree, cum laude, in Political Science from Spelman College.