Phil Richards graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1983. He began his practice as an Assistant District Attorney in Duncan, Oklahoma. In 1984 he returned to his home town of Tulsa to practice civil law, joining a firm in which he became a partner in 1988. In 1997 he formed the law firm that is now Richards & Connor. Trial work, primarily representing businesses and insurers, has been the focus of his practice. As a result, he has tried cases to juries in both state and federal courts throughout Oklahoma. He has also litigated insurance coverage matters in Arkansas. Mr. Richards is admitted to practice before all trial and appellate courts of the State of Oklahoma, all federal district courts in Oklahoma, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

His practice areas include insurance coverage litigation, insurance bad faith defense, the defense of claims involving significant injuries or economic loss, and commercial litigation in state and federal court.

Active in the bar, Mr. Richards is a member of the Oklahoma Association of Defense Counsel and has served on its Board of Directors (2000-2002), as its Vice-President (2003), and as its President (2004). He is also active in the Hudson-Hall-Wheaton Chapter of the American Inns of Court, where he is a Master Emeritus and previously served as the Inn’s Program Chair (2003-2007). On a national level, he is a member of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, and serves on its Admissions Committee (2004-present) and its Extra-Contractual Liability Section (Vice Chair 2004-2005, Chair 2006-2008). He is also a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, and has served on the State Committee for Oklahoma since 2006.

He has taught continuing education programs on insurance coverage, bad faith law and trial practice, and has authored papers on topics including insurance coverage, bad faith, trial practice and constitutional jurisprudence. Published decisions in cases he has handled include matters of insurance coverage, bad faith liability, ERISA, medical malpractice, governmental liability, tort liability and commercial litigation.

He is listed in The Best Lawyers In America, as an Oklahoma Super Lawyer, and as a Top Lawyer in Financial Services by Corporate Counsel magazine.

Mr. Richards is married and has three children. He is an Eagle Scout, a former Cubmaster of his son’s Cub Scout Pack (2005-2008), and currently serves as an Assistant Scout Master of his son's scout troop and on the District Committee. He is also a Sunday School teacher for the high school class at First Presbyterian Church in Tulsa, and on the Board of the Oklahoma Affiliate of Community Health Charities.