Skip to content

Samuel R. Phillips, PE, is a consultant in product design engineering, development, and manufacturing, and an expert witness in patent disputes and litigation.

Beginning in the 1980s and building upon a career as an engineering and manufacturing executive, he has helped more than 200 clients in Silicon Valley and beyond to improve their products and lower their costs, and provided litigation support for attorneys.

Mr. Phillips has more than 40 years of product design and manufacturing industry experience as a consultant, an engineering and multi-plant manufacturing executive, an engineering manager, a product designer, a technician, an analyst, and an expert witness in litigation, particularly in intellectual property, such as patents and trade secrets, and contract disputes.

Especially helpful in patent cases is Mr. Phillips' background in mechanical design and product testing and development. He has designed or supervised the design of hundreds of products and prepared or reviewed thousands of design and manufacturing drawings, as well as managed a machine shop and a complete manufacturing department.

His technical expertise and experience includes industrial and consumer products, electronics products, medical and scientific instruments, machinery, and chemical-process equipment. See Expertise and Experience.

Having been retained in more than 100 cases, he is one of the country's most experienced engineering experts, supporting counsel for clients large and small in all roles, including plaintiffs, defendants, patent holders, accused patent infringers, customers, vendors, licensees, licensors, former and current employees, etc. See Types of Cases.

He has testified in federal and state courts and arbitrations in 20 states and provinces and internationally. He has been retained by the continent's largest law firms as well as local counsel.

A graduate of Caltech in mechanical engineering (BS and MS), Mr. Phillips is a registered Professional Engineer (PE) and, a life member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. He is an FAA-certificated commercial pilot. He has published articles, peer-reviewed papers, and interviews in professional magazines and on television. An able speaker, he originated and taught the course in materials and processes in the faculty of Product and Industrial Design at Academy of Art College. Annually he judges product-design contests: "R&D 100" (R&D Magazine) and "Create the Future" (Tech Briefs). Six US and foreign patents and publications name him as inventor.

— Judge Comment

"Mr. Phillips is very knowledgeable and experienced in the fields of mechanical engineering and optical systems."

— Arbitrator Comment

"I found Mr. Phillips to be fair and credible."

— Attorney Comments

"Sam prepared two comprehensive expert reports on patent infringement and validity issues. He was deposed and testified at trial. Sam was always fully prepared and put in the time and effort required to do an outstanding job. He is a professional in the best sense of the word and is a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend Sam in either a consulting or testifying role in cases requiring mechanical engineering expertise."

"Sam testified effectively in both a Daubert hearing and trial. He has an easygoing manner on the witness stand and relates well with jurors, who expressed appreciation for his testimony as an expert in a highly specialized area of engineering and manufacturing knowledge. Sam engaged with interest and enthusiasm, always remaining courteous during the stress of a complex and intense [trial]."

Samuel R. Phillips, PE

For a complete CV, including Publications and Presentations, please call 530-268-2413.

20812 Brewer Road
Grass Valley, CA 95949, USA

Site Composition by Expert Communications
Website by Lemon Dog Project