Marquis Whos Who Honors David C. Phillips III for Excellence in Legal Services and Social Impact
UNIONDALE, NY / ACCESS Newswire / February 9, 2026 /Marquis Who 's Who honors David C. Phillips III, JD, for his excellence in providing legal services and his far-reaching social impact. Mr. Phillips is a distinguished attorney and the founder of the 1st Step Male Diversion Program, known for his dedication to reducing recidivism and helping young men build better futures.
About Mr. David C. Phillips III
Mr. Phillips is the executive director of the 1st Step Male Diversion Program, a position he has held since founding the organization in 2016. The program, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, offers an alternative to incarceration for non-violent male offenders aged 18 to 30 by providing them with a chance to turn their lives around. Under his leadership, the program has maintained a remarkable 95% success rate, helping young men stay out of prison by addressing issues such as substance abuse, poverty and lack of education.
Before founding the 1st Step Male Diversion Program, Mr. Phillips spent more than 30 years working as a defense attorney and public defender. His legal career began after he spent 14 years in biomedical research. Driven by his desire to help others, he transitioned into law. He became a respected figure in the field, serving clients in various capacities, including as a public defender and in private practice. His transition into the criminal justice system eventually led him to establish the 1st Step Program, which has made a significant impact on reducing youth incarceration.
In addition to his role at 1st Step, Mr. Phillips is actively involved in his community. He serves as an administrative council member of Centenary United Methodist Church and is a member of the local Rotary Club and Rotary Singing Group. His passion for social change is evident not only in his professional work but also in his volunteer and community service efforts.
Mr. Phillips earned a bachelor 's degree in anthropology from the University of Pittsburgh in 1974. He later earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1990. His education provided him with the foundation to pursue his career in law and his years of experience have given him the skills and insights needed to manage the 1st Step Male Diversion Program.
A Commitment to Helping Others
A key element of Mr. Phillips ' success lies in his commitment to helping individuals who have been failed by various societal systems, including education and family structures. He founded the 1st Step Male Diversion Program to provide a solution for those young men who found themselves at the crossroads of a criminal justice system that often failed to offer them a second chance. He believes in redemption and healing - not only for the program 's participants but also their families and communities.
Mr. Phillips ' future goals include expanding the 1st Step Male Diversion Program and building a centralized campus for all his operations, helping even more individuals succeed and avoid incarceration. His commitment to service and social change remains steadfast. His life and career demonstrate that with support and guidance, young individuals can overcome their challenges and build productive futures.
About Marquis Who 's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who 's Who in America®, Marquis Who 's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion, and entertainment. Who 's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians, and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who 's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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SOURCE: Marquis Who 's Who
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