ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Phillip Blevins is a Southwest Virginia native with a passion for conflict resolution and fostering connections. He was awarded a B.S. with Honors from UVA-Wise, a J.D. with Honors from the Appalachian School of Law, and a LL.M. in conflict resolution with Highest Distinction from the University of Missouri – Columbia, School of Law.

During Law School, Mr. Blevins served the ASL community as an Emergency Medical Technician and Court Appointed Special Advocate. On campus, Mr. Blevins served his peers as a Senior Editor on the Appalachian Journal of Law and was elected as Student Bar Association President.

After graduating from ASL in 2016, Mr. Blevins clerked for the Honorable Henry A. Vanover before accepting a commission as a Judge Advocate in the United States Air Force. As a JAG, Major Blevins prosecuted violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, deployed to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, and served nearly two years as a trial defense attorney for Air and Space Force Service Members. Even though his military service took Mr. Blevins far away from Grundy, his heart always remained with ASL’s mission. He served as ASL’s Alumni Association president 2020-2021.

Mr. Blevins is licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Tennessee, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia. In November 2023, Mr. Blevins was elected to serve as the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Smyth County, Virginia. He continues to serve as a major in the United States Air Force where Major Blevins is the defense attorney for all Airmen and Guardians in the Tennessee Air National Guard. Mr. Blevins is a fierce advocate for ASL and proud to be an Adjunct Professor of Law teaching courses on conflict resolution.