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Commissioner Tonya Myers Phillips

Tonya Myers Phillips is an attorney with a passion for using her legal talent to improve her community. She currently works with Michigan Legal Services as a foreclosure defense attorney representing homeowners and tenants in danger of losing their homes. Prior to joining Michigan Legal Services, Ms Phillips was in private practice representing small business owners, nonprofit organizations, and individuals including institutions such as ShoreBank Enterprises, the Detroit Association of Black Organizations, and the former Detroit Entrepreneurship Institute. Ms. Phillips regularly participates in seminars and panels to share her expertise with the community. She teaches a "How to Become a Nonprofit" mini-course with the Detroit Association of Black Organizations.

Ms. Phillips has experience working in municipal law, and with the Charter in particular. She worked with the Detroit City Council and its Special Counsel William Goodman to analyze and interpret the Council's removal and forfeiture powers under the Detroit City Charter. Ms. Phillips also worked with the Guild Law Center and the Detroit City Council to strengthen the investigatory and enforcement provisions of the Detroit Living Wage Ordinance which mandates workers be paid a "living wage" for their services on high-value city contracts.

Tonya Phillips was born and raised in Detroit , Michigan. Ms. Phillips attended Detroit Public Schools and graduated with honors from Renaissance High School. Ms. Phillips received her bachelor's degree with honors from the University of Michigan. She also went on to attend and receive her law degree from the University of Michigan Law School. Ms. Phillips was honored with the Distinguished Young Lawyer Award in 2006 from the Wolverine Bar Association.

Ms. Phillips currently serves on the Board of Directors for Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice, the Village Gardeners, and People Actively Taking Chance to Help Educate Society (P.A.T.C.H.E.S). Ms. Phillips also works with the Save Our Spirit Coalition to advocate for maximum block grant funding community organizations. Ms. Phillips was also recently appointed to serve on the Detroit Charter Commission to revise the City of Detroit Charter.

e-mail: Tonya.Myers_Phillips@2009dcrc.org

link to source: 2009dcrc.org/CommissionerPhillips

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