Philip G. Villaume

Philip G. Villaume is a nationally recognized authority on employment law, criminal law and procedure, and professional ethics.

Mr. Villaume concentrates his practice in criminal defense law and employment law, representing professionals facing employment-related misconduct allegations. He represents victims of workplace abuse and harassment. Mr. Villaume has represented over 1000 professionals including 500 educators. He conducts workshops nationwide on the topics of criminal law and procedure, diversity in education, the community and the workplace, and on the topics of the prevention of workplace violence and harassment. He is considered a national expert and consultant on topics of professional misconduct, harassment and violence in schools and in the workplace.

Mr. Villaume was awarded a Certificate of Excellence in 1990 from Hamline University School of Law and the Judges Choice Award, Most Well-Prepared Lawyer in 1991. He has received the distinction of 2012,2013,2014,2015and 2016 Top Rated Lawyer in Labor and Employment by the National Law Journal and has been selected to the 2012,2013, 2015 and 2016 Minnesota Super Lawyers. The Super Lawyers selection process is a comprehensive, good-faith and detailed attempt to produce a list of lawyers that have attained high peer recognition, meet ethical standards, and have demonstrated some degree of achievement in their field. In 2015 and 2016, Mr. Villaume was awarded Nation's Top One Percent of all lawyers by The National Association of Distinguished Counsel. In 2015, Mr. Villaume was recognized as one of the PREMIER 100 trial lawyers in Minnesota by The American Academy of Trial lawyers. This recognition is given to those trial lawyers who have met stringent qualifications and who have shown exemplary representation of their clients as a premier trial lawyer. He was selected as a Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Minnesota by The National Trial Lawyers in 2015.In 2016 he was selected as a member of the Best Attorney of America by RUE Rating.

He is a former adjunct professor for the University of Minnesota and at Hamline University School of Law and is currently an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas where he has taught for the past 20 years. He has been the course chair and a lecturer on criminal law, trial skills and employment law, and professional ethics for Minnesota Continuing Legal Education programs. He has lectured for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy.

He is the author of The Law & Procedure Handbook for Minnesota Educators, 1990; The Better Work Environment, 1997; and a coauthor of The Book, Teachers At Risk, 1993.

Mr. Villaume was a 1990 and 1999 appointee to the Minnesota Judicial Merit Selection Commission.

Mr. Villaume has been active in coaching youth sports (hockey, girl's softball, and baseball) for the Mendota Heights Athletic Association, of which he has also served as Vice President. Mr. Villaume also participates in the high school and college mock trial competitions as an instructor and judge. He speaks to youth groups all over the county about youth issues and leadership.