Phil served in the Washington State Senate from 1979 to 1995. He chaired the Judiciary and Health Care Committees in the Senate, where he was a leader in court reform, alternative dispute resolution, crime victims' rights, domestic violence prevention, public health, mental health, and health care reform. He served on the Washington Supreme Court from 1995 to 2001. He promoted the judicial information system, privacy of court records, and court reform. He has taught appellate advocacy at the Seattle University and University of Washington Law Schools. He is the author of a number of articles on legal issues, including a treatise on attorney fees. Phil has built and operated a small business, Talmadge/Fitzpatrick. He is a fellow of the prestigious American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, and a member of the Washington Appellate Lawyers Association.

Phil and his wife Darlene have five children. Darlene is an elementary school teacher in Seattle.

[December 2012]