James R. Phelps Senior Counsel 202-737-5600
James R. Phelps

Overview

James R. Phelps is one of three founding members of Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, P.C. Before establishing the firm in 1980, Mr. Phelps was vice president and general counsel of G.D. Searle & Co. In addition to his experience as a private practitioner and in-house counsel, Mr. Phelps was a trial attorney for the FDA and an assistant United States attorney for the District of Columbia. Mr. Phelps began his professional career in 1965 as a trial attorney in FDA’s office of Chief Counsel, and in 1967 he became an Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Columbia.

Education & Admissions

Education

L.L.B., University of Cincinnati College of Law
A.B., with honors, University of Cincinnati

Admissions

District of Columbia
American Bar Association
Federal Bar Association
Member, U.S. National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 1983-1985
General Counsel, Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society, 1982-2002

Honors & Awards

  • Top FDA Lawyers, Best Lawyers Supplement, 2014
  • DC Super Lawyers, 2007-2011
  • Best Lawyers, 2021, 2022
  • Regulatory Professional of the Year, Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society, 1990
  • Who’’s Who Legal Directory, Life Sciences, Regulatory Section, 2015-2016
Education

L.L.B., University of Cincinnati College of Law
A.B., with honors, University of Cincinnati

Admissions

District of Columbia
American Bar Association
Federal Bar Association
Member, U.S. National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 1983-1985
General Counsel, Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society, 1982-2002