Television and Radio:
The Today Show (profile, April 19, 2000, and January 24, 2002)
Pet Talk America (5/7/00, 30 mins; 6/10/00, 60 mins; 12/30/00, 30 mins)
The John and Ken Show (KABC Los Angeles, July 12, 2000, 60 mins)
Fox News Channel (July 19, 2000)
Court TV ("Closing Arguments," September 18, 2000)
 CNN, "Talk Back"(March 28, 2001, 60 mins)
The Wayne Resnick Show (KFI AM 640, Los Angeles, August 4, 2001, 60 mins)
Inside Edition (profile, January 10, 2002)
Bloomberg Television (January 22, 2002, February 15, 2002, March 21, 2002)
AP Radio Network (January 23, 2002)
The Sam Donaldson Show (January 24, 2002)
KTSA-AM Radio San Antonio (January 24, 2002, March 20, 2002)
KPIX TX (CBS-TV, San Francisco, January 24, 2002, March 21, 2002, June
18, 2002)
ABC 7 News (San Francisco, January 28, 2002)
CNN / Headline News (February 19, 2002, March 12, 18, 21, 22, 2002; June
17, 2002)
CNN "The Point" (February 22, 2002, 10 mins)
Morning News (KNBC Los Angeles, March 7, 2002, 3 mins)
Court TV (March 18, 2002 (4 appearances); July 15, 2002)
KCBS-TV (San Francisco, March 18, 2002)
 KGO Radio (San Francisco, March 21, 2002, June 18, 2002)
Tavis Smiley Show, National Public Radio (March 21, 2002)
MS-NBC (March 21, 22, 2002)
KOMO AM, Seattle (March 22, 2002)
Radio America (March 22, 2002)
KLIF Dallas (March 22, 2002)
The Ollie North Show (Radio America) (March 22, 2002)
ABC National Radio (March 22, 2002)
KPBK 1530 AM Sacramento (March 22, 2002)
KTVU-TV, Oakland (March 22, 2002)
KCBS AM, San Francisco (March 22, 2002)
The Gil Gross Show (KLAC AM, Los Angeles, March 1, 2002, March 21, 2002,
June 18, 2002)
NBC 4, Los Angeles (March 24, 2002)
Voice of America (China and Far East, September 24, 2002)
Discovery Channel ("Dangerous Dogs," November 2002)
KNBC-TV, Los Angeles (May 19, 2003)
WXET-FM, Arcola, IL (February 2, 2004)
KLAV-AM, Las Vegas, NV (Sit Means Sit Radio Show, 60-minute interview, March 27,
2004) Click
here to listen - select the show by date
Fox News Channel (Dayside, September 9, 2004)
XM Public Radio - XM 133 ("Animals Aloud," 10 minute interview, June 18,
2005)
KLAV-AM, Las Vegas, NV ("Sit Means Sit Radio Show", 60 minute
interview, June 26, 2005)
Fox News Channel ("The Big Story With John Gibson," December
28, 2005; click here to watch it).
CourtTV Morning (Sirius Satellite Radio, March 30, 2006).
WXIA 11Alive News (NBC TV, Atlanta, GA, April 6, 2006, April 7, 2006).
WGCL News (CBS TV, Atlanta, GA, April 7, 2006).
KNX1070 AM Radio (CBS Radio, Los Angeles, CA, on Bob McCormick's "Money 101" [pet food recall], 60 mins, March 30, 2007)
MS NBC News (MS NBC Live, "Zero Tolerance: Dog Bites," April 7, 2007, at 11 AM and a different segment at 1 PM)
KiwiFM (New Zealand, "Wammo Speaks To US Dog Bite Attorney," April 24, 2007; click here to listen to it.)
KNX1070 AM Radio (CBS Radio, Los Angeles, CA, on Bob McCormick's "Money 101" [dangerous dogs], 60 mins, April 26, 2007, 10 - 11 AM)
KNX1070 AM Radio (CBS Radio, Los Angeles, CA, on Bob McCormick's "Money 101" [Michael Vick prosecution], 60 mins, July 25, 2007)
Comcast Network, Art Fennell Reports, August 18, 2007; click here to watch it.
WYPR-FM (NPR, Baltimore, MD, "The Mark Steiner Show," 60 mins, October 10, 2007)
Seminars Available on DVD / CD-ROM:
Anatomy of a Dog Bite Case, 2-1/2 hour
seminar given for the Florida Academy of Trial Attorneys, Orlando, FL, February 16, 2005.
Avoiding Liability When You Train,
Shelter or Adopt-Out, 90-min. seminar presented by Puppyworks, Novato, CA, February 20, 2005. Comes with a set of essential legal documents.
Videos To Watch Over The Internet
Fox News Channel, The Big Story With John Gibson (December
28, 2005): Mr. Phillips discusses websites that tell the location of dangerous dogs, and the ineffectiveness of breed specific legislation.
Tennessee Legislature, Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing (February 27, 2007): Mr. Phillips testifies in favor of bills that would end the "one-bite rule," increase penalties for owners of dangerous dogs, and increase the penalty for attending an organized dog fight. When you arrive at the senate website, view the entire hearing or watch only his testimony, which begins at minute 38. Warning: the video contains disturbing images of dog bite victims.
Comcast Network, Art Fennell Reports (August 18, 2007): The one-bite rule, chaining dogs, and the importance of controlling not breeds but how dog owners shape their dogs. |
|
Periodicals about him, by him and quoting him:
People Magazine (profile -- read it! -- July 17, 2000, January 24, 2002 and March 21, 2002)
The
Recorder (legal newspaper) (profile -- read it!,
December 27, 1999)
Dog Sports Magazine (February 2000)
People Magazine (profile, July 17, 2000, January 24, 2002 and March 21,
2002)
 The Washington Times (profile, July 18, 2000)
The National Enquirer TV show (July 2000, twice)
Missouri Pets Magazine (August 2000)
Lawyers Weekly USA (profile, October 2, 2000)
California Lawyer (profile, December 2000)
Time Magazine (February 12, 2001, March 21, 2002)
The Chicago Tribune (March 6, 2001)
The Los Angeles Times (profile
-- read it!, July 20, 2001, March 9, 2002)
The Miami Herald (August 3, 2001)
Chicago Tribune (January 22, 2002)
The Washington Post (January 24, 2002)
The San Jose Mercury News (January, 2002, March 22, 2002)
The Contra Costa Times (January 31, 2002)
The San Francisco Chronicle (March 4, 2002, March 22, 2002)
Los Angeles Daily Journal (March 21, 2002)
 The Oakland Tribune (March 21, 2002)
San Diego Union Tribune (March 22, 2002)
The Los Angeles Times (March 22, 2002)
The Contra Costa Times (March 22, 2002, June 18, 2002)
San Diego Union Tribune (March 22, 2002)
USA Today (March 22, 2002)
Press Enterprise, San Bernardino/Riverside (March 22, 2002)
Realty Times (Broderick Perkins, Insurers Put The Bite On Dog Attacks, March 27, 2002)
Good Housekeeping (October 2002)
CourtTV.com profile
-- read it! (October 2002)
The Globe and Mail (author, "Banning Breeds Isn't the Answer," March 11,
2003)
Ferrets
2003 Annual ("Legal Issues in Layman's Terms")
New Jersey Law Journal (Charles Toutant, "Putting a Leash on Dog-Bite Claims Carriers seek to limit homeowner coverage for fierce canine breeds," July 25, 2003)
The Philadelphia Inquirer (September 5, 2004)
New
York Magazine ("Dog Bites Dog," October 11, 2004)
Molossi Magazine (Italy, Oct-Nov 2004, "Il Robin Hood dei cani pericolosi")
Los Angeles Times (November 5, 2004, "Animal control officers kept
on a leash?")
Humane Society of the United States ("Insurance
Companies Unfairly Target Specific Dog Breeds," January 2005)
SF Magazine (February 20, 2005)
Connecticut Insurance Law Journal, "The Case Against Dog Breed Discrimination
by Homeowners' Insurance Companies" (cited), Vol. 11, No. 1., 2004
Celebrating Greyhounds - The Magazine (author, "Dog Bite Law: Issues for
Adoption Groups," Spring 2005)
SF Chronicle ("Regulations pursued in wake of mauling," June 6, 2005)
Sentinel and Enterprise ("Owners Defend Dangerous Dogs," July 25, 2005)
Trial (ATLA Journal) (author, "Establish Liability For Dog Attacks,"
September 2005, p. 74)
Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Kristen Gelineau, "Mauling death sets off
review of dog laws," December 18, 2005)
Insurance Journal ("Virginia Considers Tougher Dog Owner Liability Law
After Widow's Mauling," December 21, 2005)
Chicago Tribune (Carolyn Starks and Brendan McCarthy, "Internet sites
collar bad dogs," December 27, 2005)
Trial (ATLA Journal),
(author, "Put Some Teeth In Your Dog Bite Claim," February 2006,
pp. 62-67).
San Diego Union Tribune
(Jenifer Godwin, "These days our pampered pooches just can't lose
since their rank in the human 'pack' has never been higher," March
12, 2006; click
here to read it).
North Weld Herald ("Nationally
Known Attorney Kenneth Phillips Provides Dog Bite Statistics," March
16, 2006; Bruce J. Bormann, "The Poisoned Pen," March 16, 2006,
p. 2).
Los Angeles Times (Barbara
Thornburg, "Shop 'Til They Flop," March 19, 2006; click
here to read it).
Fordham Law Review (Safia Gray Hussain, "Attacking the Dog-bite Epidemic: Why Breed-Specific Legislation Won't Solve the Dangerous-dog Dilemma," 74 Fordham L. Rev. 2847 (April 2006), citing Mr. Phillips 24 times; click here to read it).
Law Crossing (Regan
Morris, profile, May 2006; click
here to read it).
Palm Beach Post (Janis
Fontaine, "Protect Your Family Against Dog Bites," May 11, 2006)
Animal Magazine of San Diego (author, "The Perfect Dog Park," Winter 2007, pp. 10-11; click here to read it).
Memphis Commercial Appeal (Lucas L. Johnson II, AP, "Senate panel passes four dog-related bills,"
February 28, 2007). This Associate Press article also appeared in other publications and online.
The Recorder (Millie Lapidario, "Dog-Mauling Case Hits the California High Court," March 5, 2007)
Los Angeles Times (Molly Selvin and Abigail Goldman, "A dog's life: What's it worth?", March 30, 2007) (also published in Seattle Times as "Pet-food contamination cases could lead to legal changes"; Contra Costa Times as "Pet status as property may shift after recall," March 31, 2007)
Bloomberg (Tony Cox, " Texas Lawmakers Try to Shed Unwanted Title: Dog-Bite Capital," March 30, 2007) (published throughout USA)
Los Angeles Times (Lianne Hart, "If dog bites man, Texas might bite pet owner back," March 31, 2007)
Lawyers.com (Sarah Rupp, "Liability of Dog Owners," click here to read)
The Recorder (Millie Lapidario, "Dog Maul Case Just Keeps Going," June 1, 2007)(also published throughout the USA)
Atlanta Magazine (Doug Monroe, "Unleashed," July 2007, p. 58)
Garden Center Magazine (Sarah Martinez, "Are Garden Centers Going To The Dogs?" August 2007, p. 10; click here to read it)
Tucson Citizen (Emily Hu, "Bad to the bone?" August 28, 2007; click here to read it)
The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, PA (Editorial, "Taking bite out of dog attacks," September 26, 2007)
The Dallas Morning News, Dallas, TX ("Death in Denton County kennel leads to a call for new laws," December 5, 2007)
Press-Enterprise, Riverside, CA (Paul Larocco, "Dog-as-deadly-weapon charge unusual but not unheard of," February 14, 2008; click here to read it)
Newsday (Erik German, "Dogs May Lose Right To Bite," February 19, 2008; click here to read it)
The News Courier, Athens, AL (Karen Middleton, "Councilman seeks stricter ordinance on dangerous dogs," March 13, 2008; click here to read it)
Business Wire ("InsureMe Takes a Look at Pit Bulls and Homeowner's Insurance," April 21, 2008)
MSN Money (Liz Pulliam Weston,
"Your dog's bite could bankrupt you," September 9, 2008; click on the link to read it.)
South Bend Tribune, South Bend, Indiana (Alicia Gallegos, "All bark or forced bite? Debate rages between pit bull genetics vs. ownership," December 2, 2008)
|
Kenneth Phillips' Mission
"My primary responsibility is to represent my clients. I represent only dog bite victims. My law practice is unique because it is so highly specialized.
"In addition to representing clients, my mission is to educate lawmakers, canine professionals, attorneys, and the public about the dog bite epidemic, with the hope of lessening it. I want people to know about the extent of the dog bite problem, the civil and criminal consequences of a dog bite, how dog owners can protect their homes and assets from dog bite liability, how parents can protect their children from getting bitten by a dog, and what laws need to be changed to help end the dog bite problem.
"My mission also includes the writing of model laws pertaining to dog bites and dangerous dogs, and helping state and local lawmakers to enact these laws.
"Dog Bite Law (www.dogbitelaw.com) is a noncommercial online treatise that resulted from a dog bite. On Christmas 1998, a dog bit my niece in the face. It upset me a great deal, because I felt that it would not have happened if she had some basic training in dog safety. I felt that I needed to do something to educate the public about the dog bite epidemic.
 "As a result, I created www.dogbitelaw.com. I've been writing and re-writing sections of it ever since Christmas 1998. In 2000 I created The Dog Bite Law Adviser, which gives users the same information that I tell my own clients. In 2006 I launched The Dog Bite Victim Log, the editorial companion of www.dogbitelaw.com that presents news and opinion about dog bites.
"In 2006 I also entered the legislative arena for the purpose of strengthening the laws that pertain to dangerous dogs and irresponsible dog owners. I assisted in the drafting of reasonable, non-breed specific legislation on both the state and local levels in several jurisdictions.
"Every day I put in at least two hours responding to e-mailed questions from the public, and updating Dog Bite Law, The Dog Bite Law Adviser, and The Dog Bite Victim Log. I enjoy it and believe that I am performing an important service for the public. I receive questions from every English-speaking country in the world, as well as Spain, Italy, Chile, Japan, Russia, China, Iraq (US servicemen), Norway, The Netherlands and Sweden.
"I also write books for dog owners, write articles for magazines and newspapers, speak at conventions and meetings, conduct dog bite law seminars for attorneys and canine professionals, and give interviews to magazines, newspapers, TV and radio, in the USA and around the world.
"My web site is entirely educational. Its purpose is to raise awareness about dog bite law. My address and phone number aren't even on it! It is a research site used by legislators, public health officials, animal control officers, district attorneys, civil lawyers, dog bite victims, students of law and many others from all over the world (I have even been on the radio in China, thanks to Voice of America)."
The Law Office and Team
  The law office of Attorney Kenneth Phillips is located physically in Beverly Hills, California -- literally "Beverly Hills 90210" like the old television show. He is assisted by Mary Montoya and Karen Bankhead, who began working with him in the 1980s. He confesses often that he could not get by without the two of them, because they are not only the best at what they do, but also the nicest people that a person could ever meet.
Phillips' law office is a frontrunner in its use of technology. Because he handles cases around the nation, the office is almost "paperless," meaning that all communications, documents and evidence are created or copied into digital (i.e., computer readable) form. Phillips and his two assistants routinely work outside Beverly Hills, outside California, and even outside the USA when required. They do so with the exact same functionality as if they were sitting in an old-fashioned office. All files are backed up to local and remote locations on a daily basis, too, and the actual computers and systems are redundant and in separate locations for purposes of security.
Aside from its efficiency, speed and suitability for a national law practice, the fully electronic law office is a great benefit to Phillips' clients and the attorneys with whom he works around the country. Clients can reach him, Mary and Karen around the clock, 365 days per year, by using E-mail (and even the phone system is Internet-based for times when he and the staff are at remote locations). Communications, documents and evidence are sent instantly by E-mail and secure FTP sites, which clients are taught how to access.
The office, the team and the strategies for handling cases are designed to improve the quality and timeliness of the legal services provided to Phillips' clients and colleagues throughout the nation.
How Mr. Phillips Handles Cases Across the USA
Attorney Kenneth Phillips has been involved in dog bite cases throughout the United States. He does this by teaming up with lawyers near the scene of the accident or the courthouse where the case would be tried if there were no settlement. This "partnering" with local attorneys does not cost the client anything more than having just one lawyer, because the attorneys split the fee agreed to by the client, pursuant to the law of the state where the accident happened. Different states have different laws that pertain to legal "fee-splitting." The fee is always contingent upon success (no recovery means no fee).
The local lawyer often brings a motion to have Phillips admitted to practice before the court in the state where the accident occurred. This is called "pro haec vice" admission. After Phillips is admitted, he prosecutes the lawsuit in that state like any other attorney would.
In all such cases, Phillips, the client and the local attorney enter into written agreements which --
- Describe the rights and obligations of each of them, including how both attorneys will be paid;
- Specify how Phillips and the local attorney will divide the work and responsibilities; and,
- Confirm that the client will not have to pay an extra fee because of the local lawyer.
Courts throughout the USA permit attorneys to practice law in this manner. The general rule is given as follows: "Activities in contemplation of [pro haec vice] admission [to practice law in a state outside the state in which an attorney is licensed] are also authorized, such as investigating facts or consulting with the client within the jurisdiction prior to drafting a complaint and filing the action." Restatement of the Law Third, The Law Governing Lawyers, section 3, comment (e), p. 27. (See., i.e., South Carolina Bar Assn., Ethics Opp., "When May An Out-of-State Attorney Practice Law in South Carolina?" (adopted Mar. 17, 2006), referencing Rule 5.5(c)(2) of the S.C.Sup.Ct. Rules.)
Phillips strictly follows the American Bar Association rules pertaining to the multijurisdictional practice of law. Because he lives in California, has his offices only in that state, and is a member of only the California State Bar Association, Rule 5.5 requires him to associate a local attorney in states which permit the limited practice of law in their jurisdictions by out of state lawyers. Generally speaking, many American states permit it, and in each such state Phillips also must comply with the particular rule pertaining to out of state attorneys and splitting fees.
There are some states, such as North Carolina, that still attempt to defend their turf by prohibiting even the leading legal experts from practicing law if they are from out of state. Phillips accepts cases in those states only after a local attorney requests. There are many who contend that such rules are anti-consumer, fail to reflect modern realities, and do nothing to ensure competence -- for example, no bar examination asks even a single question about dog bite law. (See George C. Leef, "Lawyer Fees Too High? The Case for Repealing Unauthorized Practice of Law Statutes," Regulation.)
"Aren't you too busy to handle cases?" and other FAQ about Mr. Phillips
 You seem too busy to handle cases. Do you really have the time?
"I hear this alot," Mr. Phillips says. "I certainly do have the time! Every case gets my personal attention. I don't take new cases unless I have extra time to fill. I immediately tell the victim one way or another, so he never has to guess or make assumptions about my schedule."
I bet you're a difficult man to reach?
"Exactly the opposite. If you write to me, you will hear back from me the same day or within 24 hours. (Go ahead, click here to test me!) And it is actually me who does the responding -- not an assistant or a 'ghost writer.' Also, I talk on the phone to my clients whenever they want to. Actually, I have been told that I am more accessible than most attorneys!"
Since there are 5 million dog bite victims per year, you must have about 1 million cases. Don't you have too many?
"No, I don't! I actually have what is considered to be a light caseload. I accept only cases where a person has been bitten in the face, or has become disabled -- or where a person has been killed. That narrows the list down. On top of that, not all victims have the legal right to bring a claim, and not all dog owners have the insurance or assets to make it worthwhile. In other words, the high number of victims does not translate into a high number of claims."
This involves just a cut on the face. Isn't it too small for you to handle?
"No, it's not too small. I take all cases where a person -- adult or child -- has been bitten on the face. The victim and his family usually do not realize it, but even a small wound on the face produces serious consequences ... serious enough for me to handle."
You must be awfully expensive, right?
"No, I represent dog bite victims on a contingency fee basis, meaning that I accept a small part of the money paid in settlement. I do not charge anything 'up front,' I advance all of the prosecution costs out of my own pocket, and I charge the same rate as lawyers in the city where the accident happened. Even when I retain a local lawyer, we split the fee, so the client gets two attorneys for the price of one."
I know that senior lawyers give the real work to junior associates in their office. Isn't that what you do too?
"No, I don't. I don't even have any junior associates in my office. My law practice is highly limited, in that I only represent dog bite victims with facial wounds or disability (plus death cases, which are rare). Even though every case is different, experience goes a long way in handling these claims."
|
The author of this web site is Attorney Kenneth Phillips. A lawyer for 30 years, he is regarded as the nation's leading authority in dog bite law. His practice is devoted exclusively to representing dog bite victims throughout the United States. Additionally, he assists legislators in drafting dog bite laws, appears in the news, teaches seminars, and writes books and articles about dog bite law. He personally answers all e-mail sent to him from readers of this site (click here to e-mail him).
