Antwan Phillips, a Little Rock native, has practiced law for more than a decade at Wright Lindsey Jennings, where he is a partner. His practice area includes trucking litigation, dental malpractice, municipal government relations and sports law. He was named an Arkansas Business 20 in Their 20s in 2013 and a 40 Under 40 in 2020. He also serves on the city Advertising & Promotion Commission.
Phillips earned a degree in American politics from Bowdoin College and a law degree from the Bowen School of Law.
For this year’s 20 in Their 20s, what’s a piece of advice you wish you’d known at the time you were recognized?
That I would not be in my 20s forever! Seriously, being recognized as a 20 in Their 20s is an honor and creates relationships and opportunities that I did not expect. So my advice is to take advantage of those relationships and opportunities for the betterment of your community and your career.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about city government since being elected to the board in 2020?
The most surprising thing I’ve learned about city government is that progress is not often a straight line. The city has made and is making progress to transition from what we have been to what we can be. However, there are delays, distractions and dissension that sometimes make the path of progress a winding road instead of a straight one. Nonetheless, we are moving forward and that is why I still believe that a better Little Rock is only a few steps ahead.
What’s the most effective way for people to have an impact on issues that affect them before the city board?
If there is a city issue that is important to you, then you should contact your ward director and the at-large directors and express your position and then share that position with the entire board at a city board meeting. If you do not know your ward director or the at-large directors, you can access that information here.
How many clients does WLJ Sports Law have and in what sports?
WLJ has a team of attorneys who practice sports law. Our sports law team handles name, image and likeness licensing representation, trademark registration/intellectual property, entity creation, tax-related issues and estate planning. Our firm has closed nearly 100 NIL deals for athletes who play basketball, football, baseball and gymnastics. We are one firm, in all sports.
What is the most misunderstood thing about name, image and likeness use?
The most misunderstood thing about NIL is that it is “free” money. Each athlete who signs an NIL deal is signing a contract that exchanges their image/likeness or services for compensation.
What do you wish you had known starting out in your legal career?
I’m fortunate to work at the best law firm in the state of Arkansas. I’ve had great mentors who taught me how to practice law. I’m grateful that the other attorneys at Wright Lindsey Jennings taught me those things. But if I have to pick a single thing, it is that being a lawyer influences how you perceive time. Now, I’m constantly thinking in six-minute increments about how much time will an activity take, based on the premise of “how much billable work I could have done during that time?”
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