Phil Pilgrim

-Voted “BEST CRIMINAL ATTORNEY” - Forsyth County News (2020-2025)

Phil Pilgrim is a partner at Banks, Stubbs & McFarland whose practice focuses primarily on DUI, Serious Injury by Vehicle, Vehicular Homicide, and other serious driving-related criminal offenses. He also handles select other criminal matters. Admitted to the Georgia Bar in October 2005, Phil has spent more than two decades in court as both a prosecutor and criminal defense attorney. He has tried approximately three to four dozen jury trials and handled more than 200 bench trials and complex evidentiary hearings, most involving DUI and related charges. As a former Forsyth County prosecutor, he rose to Senior Assistant and served as acting Assistant Solicitor for the Forsyth County DUI Court. He also trained law-enforcement officers in DUI detection and enforcement, courtroom demeanor, and testimony, including at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center. Phil co-founded Carter/Pilgrim in 2013 and joined Banks, Stubbs & McFarland as a partner in 2021. He prepares every case as if it will go to trial and gives clients the information and candid advice needed to decide what is in their own best interest. Outside the law, Phil is a husband and father of two daughters; faith, family, and friendship are central to his life.

Practice Areas

• DUI Defense
• Serious Injury by Vehicle
• Vehicular Homicide
• Felony cases arising out of driving offenses
• Select other criminal matters

Experience

Phil began his legal career as a prosecutor under Georgia’s Third-Year Practice Act with the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office. After law school, he returned to public service with the Forsyth County Solicitor-General’s Office, where he rose to Senior Assistant and served as acting Assistant Solicitor for the Forsyth County DUI Court.

Phil left public service in 2007 and was a partner at Epps and Pilgrim from 2007 to 2013. In 2013, he co-founded Carter/Pilgrim, where he served as partner until 2021. That year, Carter/Pilgrim merged with Banks, Stubbs & McFarland, and Phil joined the firm as a partner.

Approach

Phil works up every case as if it is going to trial. He thoroughly investigates the evidence, identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the State’s case, and explains the available options candidly. His role is to equip each client to make an informed decision based on the client’s own best interest.

Service Area

Partner at Banks, Stubbs & McFarland since 2021. Phil practices from the firm’s Forsyth County, Cumming office and represents clients across North Georgia, including Forsyth, Jackson, Cherokee, Hall, Barrow, Banks, White, Union, Habersham, Rabun, Franklin, Stephens, Madison, Clarke, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Dawson, and Lumpkin Counties.

Bar & Court Admissions

• State Bar of Georgia: 2005
• All State and Superior Courts of Georgia
• Georgia Court of Appeals
• Supreme Court of Georgia
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia

Education

• University of Georgia: B.S. in Psychology and A.B. in Criminal Justice, 2002
• Georgia State University College of Law: J.D., 2005

Certifications & Training

• Former instructor in DUI Detection and Enforcement, Georgia Public Safety Training Center

Professional Associations

• State Bar of Georgia
• Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (GACDL)
• National College for DUI Defense (NCDD)
• Defense of Drinking Drivers (DODD)
• Forsyth County Criminal Defense Bar (FCCDB)