Butler Williams & Skilling

Our Attorneys

Listed alphabetically are the attorneys of Butler Williams & Skilling, P.C. To learn more about a particular attorney click on their name in the main menu bar.

Michael G. Phelan
Michael G. Phelan
Partner
mphelan@butlerwilliams.com
Martindale-Hubbell AV Peer Review Rated

Mr. Phelan is a partner with the firm. His practice focuses on complex, contingent fee litigation, ranging from automobile accidents, lead poisoning of children, products liability, prescription drug and medical device cases, and business litigation. After his very first jury trial, Mr. Phelan qualified for and is now a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. One of his lead poisoning cases was featured recently in the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Mr. Phelan volunteers countless hours with organizations such as United Parents Against Lead to reduce the hazards of lead to children.

Mr. Phelan has extensive trial experience in state and federal courts, and has gained a national reputation for handling complex brain injury, lead poisoning, pharmaceutical, medical device and toxic substance cases. He achieved one of the largest recoveries in the country in a benzene exposure case involving an oral dental adhesive. Mr. Phelan is the past Chair of the Product Liability Section of the Virginia Trial Lawyer’s Association and has lectured at the Section’s annual retreats, at the 2006 ATLA Pharmaceutical/Medical Device seminar, and at many other seminars on numerous litigation topics.

Since 1996, Mr. Phelan has maintained an AV rating from the Martindale-Hubbell National Law Directory. This rating is based upon an extensive and confidential peer review by members of the bar, and is the highest rating available for legal ability and ethical standards. He also serves as an elected board member on the Virginia Trial Lawyer’s Association’s Board of Governors.

Representative Engagements:

  • $3,500,000.00 recovery on behalf of brain damaged former school teacher in motor vehicle case
  • $3,500,000.00 on behalf of children brain damaged by lead poisoning
  • $2,850,000.00 recovery in a products liability case for a woman who developed pre-leukemic disease from benzene-containing medical device
  • $1,650,000.00 for a child brain damaged by take home exposure to lead from mother’s factory job
  • $1,550,000.00 for siblings brain damaged by lead paint
  • $1,000,000.00 for child brain damaged by lead in soil
  • $1,000,000.00 verdict in products liability case for bridge construction worker who suffered orthopedic injuries in a bridge collapse
  • $750,000.00 verdict for a man involved in a motor vehicle accident with a hit and run driver.

THE RESULTS OF SPECIFIC CASES ARE NOT MEANT TO BE A PREDICTION OF THE OUTCOME OF ANY OTHER CASE. EACH CASE IS UNIQUE.

Publications

Education

  • J.D., University of Richmond School of Law, 1987
  • B.A., Ohio Wesleyan University, 1984

Admitted

  • Virginia, 1989
  • Massachusetts, 1987

Community and Pro Bono

  • Northstar Academy (Chairman, Board of Directors)
  • United Parents Against Lead

Professional Memberships and Affiliations

  • Richmond Bar Association
  • Virginia Bar Association
  • Massachusetts Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • American Association for Justice
  • Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (Member, Board of Governors; Past Chair, Products Liability Section)
  • Lewis F. Powell, Jr. Inn of Court Master of the Bench