17 May Get to Know James Phelps
James Phelps is managing partner at Phelps LaClair, an estate planning law firm in Mesa, Arizona. The law firm was established over 40 years ago by Stephen Phelps, James’ father. Born and raised in the East Valley, James has strong ties to the state of Arizona where his family has resided for several generations. He developed a passion for the practice of law at a young age when he worked for many years alongside his father, who is also an estate planning attorney. James attended law school and has been practicing law since 1999. He has devoted his practice exclusively to providing effective and strategic estate planning, that helps achieve a peace of mind for his clients through preventing “fires” instead of having to put them out. James is passionate about serving the Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale and the surrounding communities of Phoenix, AZ.
James has counseled thousands of clients who have benefited from trusts and estate plans that protect wealth, minimize estate taxes and avoid probate. His clients come from all walks of life and have both modest and wealthy estates. James has the unique experience of having handled hundreds of trusts and estates after people have passed away where he knows what works and what doesn’t. James truly enjoys educating others on the importance of estate planning and presents dozens of estate planning seminars each year to organizations, clients and the public.
James graduated summa cum laude in accounting from Arizona State University in 1996, after which he attended law school at Brigham Young University and graduated cum laude in 1999. He is a longstanding member of the State Bar of Arizona Probate and Trust Section, WealthCounsel, the Maricopa County Bar Association and the J. Reuben Clark Law Society.
James resides in Gilbert, Arizona with his wife, Jolene, and their three children. He is passionate about living a healthy and balanced life, and loves to coach and play competitive tennis. James shares his love of sports with kids as a volunteer P.E. coach for a Mesa elementary school, and on weekends he enjoys backpacking, camping, paddle boarding and other high adventure activities.