Meet Philip Ellison, a lifelong member of our Hemlock community. The oldest of five siblings, Philip's connection to this town runs deep. His passion for Hemlock began early, with high school days filled with drama club performances and fierce debates in Mock Trial. It was in Connie Metiva’s 10th-grade English class that Philip first defended the First Amendment rights of students in his persuasive essay, a sign of the legal path that lay ahead.
Although Philip’s journey took him far from Hemlock, his heart never left. After graduating from Hemlock High School in 2001, he pursued a business degree at Lake Superior State University, followed by an MBA from Central Michigan University, and eventually a JD from Michigan State University College of Law. Along the way, he married his middle school sweetheart, Katie, in 2005. Together, they juggled their graduate education, moving 26 times before finally settling back in Hemlock in 2012.
In 2010, after passing the bar, Philip found himself working on a case that would shape his career—a property rights case that he won just weeks later. This success further cemented his desire to start his own practice, Outside Legal Counsel PLC, specializing in riparian law and civil rights. His legal career has taken him to the highest levels, including a surreal moment arguing for First Amendment rights before the U.S. Supreme Court in 2023.
But no matter how far his career has taken him, Hemlock has always been home. He fondly recalls walking up Maple as a middle schooler with friends, destined for Frost Restaurant for a burger and shake ‘uptown’. Today, he owns the house with the beautiful magnolia trees he looked forward to seeing each spring as a kid.
With their son Patton starting first grade this fall, Philip and Katie have built a life here with intention and purpose. “Of all the decisions I’ve had to make in my life, choosing Hemlock was one of the easiest,” Philip reflects. “We’re all in.”
Hemlock is a brighter, more connected place because of Philip Ellison. We are endlessly grateful for his dedication and commitment to keeping us #HemlockStrong.
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