| Graduation Year | Class of 1993 |
| Date of Birth | Aug 20, 1975 |
| Date of Passing | Sep 09, 2020 |
| About | Amber Phillips, of Pasadena California, crossed over into the infinite on September 9, 2020. She transitioned peacefully at home in the loving embrace of her family. She was born in Dearborn Michigan on August 20, 1975, daughter of the late Peter Phillips and Connie Phillips (Watkins). She is survived by her devoted husband, Thomas Slovick, her adoring brothers, Owen Phillips and Ethan Phillips (husband Tim Johnston), and her loyal bulldog, Boogie. Amber grew up in the picturesque village of Charlevoix Michigan, and also lived in Holland, and Grand Haven Michigan as a child, before returning to graduate from Charlevoix High School in 1993. As a young adult an opportunity as a nanny took her briefly to Boston before she moved to Los Angeles in 1995 to pursue her passion for acting. After numerous theater roles and a notable film role, Amber turned her attention to her education. She was a proud graduate of Los Angeles Valley College and continued on to become a double Bruin, graduating Summa Cum Laude from UCLA with a B.A. in Psychology, then persisting to earn her J.D. from UCLA Law School. After graduation she began her law career at a mighty civil rights law firm where she met her dear friend, mentor, and social justice sister, Genie Harrison. Shortly after, Amber left the firm with Genie to found the Genie Harrison Law Firm where she dedicated herself to her clients for eight years. Amber litigated in both state and federal court against private employers and governmental entities, trying cases, authoring appellate briefs, and arguing cases in front of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. She was a guest speaker on the subjects of sexual harassment and employment law, and was recognized by Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star Honoree” three years in a row. A fervent and dedicated civil rights activist, Amber committed her life at an early age to the disenfranchised, objectified, and abused. She was a devoted advocate, marching, lobbying, and supporting women’s, LGBTQ+, black, and minority causes from childhood. t UCLA she served as President of the UCLA School of Law Moot Court Honors Board, Co-Chair of the Juvenile Hall Clinic, Co-Chair of the Innocence Project, Managing Editor of the Women’s Law Journal, and a Writing Advisor for the Lawyering Skills Clinical Program. After graduation, she was selected as an American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) Fellow, during which she clerked for the Presiding Judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court, Kevin Brazile. Amber was a passionate participant and lover of people, animals, theater, music, and dance, and a voracious reader, especially L.A. based noir and female authored mysteries. Amber was radiant - a truly selfless and empathic soul who shone brighter by loving everyone she met and inspiring us to be our better selves. A private remembrance will be held in Pasadena in October, and a Celebration of Life will be held in her beloved Charlevoix next summer. Donations may be made in her memory to The International Cancer Advocacy Network (askican.org), Lungevity (lungevity.org), and Black Lives Matter (blacklivesmatter.com). The family is especially grateful to Paula Hockster and Marcia Horn for their dedicated and tireless advocacy, and whose compassion extended and significantly enhanced the quality of Amber’s life. |
