Phillip S. Serafini

Phil was admitted to practice law in 1991 and is now in his 32nd year as an attorney. Phil is one of the founding partners of Serafini, Michalowski, Derkacz and Associates, P.C., and he focuses his practice in personal injury, automobile accident claims, no-fault claims (also known as personal injury protection benefits), third-party automobile negligence claims, slip and fall injuries, motorcycle injuries, trucking accidents, and general civil litigation. Phil grew up in St. Clair Shores and Royal Oak, and he has been fortunate to return to Macomb County to practice law.

Phil graduated from Royal Oak Dondero High School magna cum laude while playing varsity tennis and golf and earning honors in the classroom. He went on to study Criminal Justice at Wayne State University and Michigan State University, graduating from Michigan State magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice while also working full time managing a shoe store across from campus.

After graduation Phil was scheduled to serve his country as a member of the U.S. Army. However, after being involved in a serious car accident just before he was scheduled to leave for basic training, Phil was unable to follow that path. That accident — and the events that followed — changed the course of his life. A month after the crash he was issued a speeding ticket by the responding officer; Phil requested a formal hearing and defeated the prosecutor after successfully cross-examining the officer and obtaining a ruling that he was not an expert and could not offer opinion testimony. Following those events, Phil set his sights on law school and continued his studies at Wayne State University School of Law in 1988.

After law school, Phil worked for a Wayne County Circuit Court Judge for two years before moving on to private practice. He worked for a private law firm doing insurance defense for two years until he was injured in a motorcycle accident — an event that set him on his current path representing injured people. After working with a personal injury firm for eight years, Phil left to work on his own. While a sole practitioner from 2003 through 2005, Phil met his future partner Jeff Michalowski. In early 2006, Phil and Jeff formed Serafini, Michalowski, Derkacz and Associates, P.C., and were soon joined by Patrick J. Derkacz.

From 1995 to present, Phil has maintained his focus on personal injury and auto law litigation while he, Jeff, and Pat assist clients in long-term disability claims and disputes, probate and estate planning, elder law, corporate planning, consulting, and litigation. Phil has helped thousands of local families navigate the legal system and obtain the benefits they desperately need after they have been injured — so they can recover, return to work, and continue providing for their family. He is passionate about minimizing the disruption in his clients' lives following an accident.

Phil is actively involved with several business and professional development groups and continuing legal education. He is a member of the Negligence Section of the Michigan Bar, a sustaining member of the Michigan Association of Justice, and a member of the Oakland County Bar Association and the Macomb County Bar Association. He sits as a case evaluator in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne County Circuit Courts, as well as for the Oakland County Bar Association.

Phil also remains actively involved in sports. He coached youth hockey for over ten years and has coached youth baseball. He enjoys playing golf and hockey. Phil and his family reside in Oakland County.