On January 1, 2026, Adam Phillips was sworn in as the new Chief Public Defender for District 14 during a private ceremony at his home with family. Senior Resident Superior Court Judge James F. Ammons performed the ceremony.
Chief Public Defender
(contributed photo)
Chief Phillips is a native of Fayetteville. He joined the helm of the Cumberland County PD Office from previous employment with the law firm of Adams, Burge and Boughman, PLLC. There, he primarily practiced Family Law under Harold Lee Boughman, Jr.
Chief Phillips is a graduate of the University of North Carolina where he earned a B.A. in political science in 2009, and then a J.D. from the UNC School of Law in 2012.
He served for eight years as a member of the Cumberland County Public Defender’s Office beginning in February of 2014. He was next appointed to serve as a District Court Judge by then Gov. Roy Cooper where he finished the remainder of the Hon. Judge April Smith’s term. After that, he served as a member of the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office before eventually going to work at Adams, Burge, and Boughman.
“I am excited to return home to continue serving with the Cumberland County Public Defender’s Office,” said Chief Phillips. “I believe deeply in the promise of equal justice and the essential role we have in upholding constitutional protections for all members of society – regardless of their income or social status. I look forward to supporting our dedicated assistant public defenders, strengthening our office, and advancing a justice system that lives up to its highest ideals.”
Chief Phillips lives in Fayetteville with his wife, Faith, his son, who is coincidentally named Gideon, and their dog, Winston. In his spare time, Chief Phillips most enjoys spending time with his family. They enjoy traveling, trying new restaurants, and cheering on Gideon’s favorite baseball team, the New York Yankees.