# About the Firm | Dunn & Phillips, P.C. > Dunn & Phillips, P.C. is a general-practice law firm serving Western Massachusetts from offices in Springfield and Westfield. A firm that answers the phone. [Canonical page](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/about/) --- # A firm that answers Dunn & Phillips, P.C. is a general practice serving families and businesses across Western Massachusetts. [Our story](#story)[Community](#community)[Recognition](#recognition)[Practice areas](#what-we-handle)[FAQs](#common-questions)[Contact](#contact-firm) Dunn & Phillips, P.C. has practiced in Western Massachusetts since 1988. From offices in Springfield and Westfield, we handle personal injury, real estate, probate and estate planning, and civil litigation, with intake in English, Spanish, Turkish, Russian, Ukrainian, French, and Chinese. People find us the way they have always found their lawyer here: a neighbor's referral, a returning client, a closing or a case handled with keen attention years earlier. We have grown by being the firm that returns the call and tells our clients the truth. The firm was founded by Eileen Dunn and Cornelius “Neil” Phillips. Attorney Dunn is a *Founding Partner Emeritus* and no longer practices law; the firm continues to carry her name in her honor. Our named partner, Cornelius “Neil” Phillips, is from Springfield, and the firm's roots are here. That shapes how we work. We take the cases we can handle well, tell people honestly when they do not need a lawyer, and stay in the community after the matter closes — on local boards, in pro bono service recognized by the Supreme Judicial Court, and in the day-to-day work of a general practice that knows its neighbors. If you are weighing whether to call, the first conversation is free and there is no obligation in either direction. Our Story ## A timeline - 1988 ### The firm opens Dunn & Phillips opens its doors at 1531 Main St, Springfield, MA 01103. - 1990 ### A move to Belmont Avenue The firm relocates to 185 Belmont Ave, Springfield, MA 01108. - 2006 ### Westfield office opens The firm expands with a Westfield office at 59 Arnold St, Westfield, MA 01085. - 2020 ### A second Springfield office To support the volume of real estate closings, a second office opens across the street at 198 Belmont Ave, Springfield, MA 01108. - 2024 ### Westfield moves The Westfield office moves to 56 Washington Street, Westfield, MA 01085. - Today ### Three offices strong Committed to serving our clients throughout Western Massachusetts. Beyond the practice ## In the community Beyond the cases, the firm shows up in the same places its lawyers grew up. Named partner Neil Phillips leads the work, on local boards and in pro bono service across Western Massachusetts. Co-founder, Law School for a Day (2023) ### Western New England University School of Law In 2023, named partner Attorney Neil Phillips helped found Law School for a Day, a one-day program that gives Springfield high school students an authentic taste of legal education. Created alongside the Hon. Judge Mulcahy and partners across the local legal community, its inaugural year drew students from six high schools. [Read about Law School for a Day](https://wne.edu/news/2023/10/law-school-for-a-day.cfm) Board member ### Celebration of Hope W. MA, Inc. Attorney Phillips serves on the board of Celebration of Hope W. MA, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to raising funds to improve the health of people in our communities. [Visit Celebration of Hope](https://www.facebook.com/CelebrationOfHopeWMaInc/) Board member ### Springfield Together Attorney Phillips is a board member of Springfield Together, a nonprofit that has supported the community since 2013. After partnering with the C3 Police Unit and incorporating in 2015, it has grown from hosting community events to running long-lasting, high-impact projects, striving to change the reputation of Springfield one step at a time. [Visit Springfield Together](https://www.springfieldtogether.org/) We also keep a directory of local courts, legal aid, and assistance programs across Western Massachusetts. [Browse our Community Resources](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/resources) Recognition & community ## Earned, not advertised The recognition we are proudest of is not for winning. It is for showing up for the city we call home and the community that has trusted this firm across generations. Dunn & Phillips of Springfield was named to ThreeBestRated’s Best Real Estate Lawyers in Springfield and is a member of the Springfield Regional Chamber. Recognition reflects past service and peer review. It is not a guarantee, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. What we do ## What we handle ### Personal Injury You’re hurt, the bills are coming, and the adjuster keeps calling. You didn’t ask for any of this, and now a stranger from the insurance company wants you to settle before you know what your injury will cost. We deal with them so you don’t have to. You pay nothing, not even costs, unless we win, and we build every case as if it’s going to trial. If we win, our fee is a percentage of the amount recovered and is paid out of that settlement or verdict, along with case costs; if there is no recovery, you owe no fee or costs. Massachusetts generally gives you three years from the injury to file. Waiting can cost you the case. [How we handle injury cases](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/practice/personal-injury) ### Real Estate A closing has a dozen moving parts, and any one of them can derail the day you get the keys. A purchase runs through title examination, the purchase and sale agreement, financing and inspection deadlines, lender coordination, and recording at the registry. We manage the full transaction: we examine title for defects before they become your problem, hold every party to the dates in the agreement, and reconcile the closing figures so the number you see is the number you sign. We handle residential and commercial closings in both Massachusetts and Connecticut, and we know how the Hampden County registry actually runs. Buyers, sellers, refinances, and investors. [How we handle closings](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/practice/real-estate) ### Probate & Estate Planning You keep meaning to deal with it, or someone died and now it's on you. Putting off a will feels easier than facing it, until a family is left untangling the result. We write the plan in plain English so your family is protected, and we walk you through probate one step at a time. [How we handle wills and probate](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/practice/wills-estates) ### Civil Litigation Someone wronged you, and you don't know if it's worth the fight. A contractor took your deposit and vanished. A partner broke the deal. We give you a straight read on whether to fight, settle, or walk away, and when we do litigate, we come in prepared. [How we handle disputes](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/practice/civil-litigation) Questions ## Common questions What does the first conversation cost?Nothing. You tell us what happened, we tell you whether you have a case, and there is no charge and no obligation either way. What if I can't afford a lawyer?For injury cases, you pay nothing, not even costs, unless we win. If we win, our fee is a percentage of what we recover for you, paid out of that recovery; if we do not, you owe no fee and no costs. For closings and estate work, we quote a flat, predictable fee before you commit, so there is no meter running. How do I know if I even have a case?That is our job to figure out, not yours. Call and describe what happened. If you don't have a claim, we will tell you, and we will often tell you what to do instead. When might I not need an attorney?Plenty of situations resolve fine without one. A minor car accident with no injury and only small property damage is usually handled by your insurer. A dispute under $7,000 is what Massachusetts small claims court is built for, without a lawyer. A straightforward, uncontested matter where everyone already agrees often does not need one, and many problems a single phone call or letter can settle. If you are in one of these, expect us to point you to the simplest path. Why would a lawyer tell me I don't need one?Because it is true more often than people expect, and because a firm families trust across generations is built on straight answers, not billable hours. If your matter does not need a lawyer, saying so gives you reassurance and earns your trust for the day you do. Will I actually be able to reach my lawyer?Yes, our attorneys are one call away. How long do I have to act?Every kind of matter has its own filing deadlines. The sooner you call, the more options stay open. These answers are general information, not legal advice, and do not create an attorney–client relationship. More from the firm [Professionals Meet the attorneys and staff The people who answer your call and do the work, from intake through resolution.](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/team) [Insights Read the blog Plain-language guidance on Massachusetts law, alerts, and firm notices.](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/blog) ## Talk to the firm. An initial conversation is without obligation. [Request a Consultation](https://www.dunnandphillips.com/contact)