Husch Blackwell Partner John R. Phillips received the inaugural Mike Wood Presidential Citation of Merit from the Kansas City-based International Relations Council for his exemplary service to the IRC and contributions toward helping IRC engage Kansas Citians in international affairs. Founded in 1959, the IRC has educated over 1 million students and community members on international culture and politics.
"I am honored to be the first recipient of the Mike Wood Presidential Citation of Merit," Phillips said. "Perhaps the greatest achievement in which I was able to provide a substantial contribution was the development and launch of the Kansas City Global website at www.kansascityglobal.com, which puts Kansas City front and center with international business, educational, and cultural opportunities and exchange, and allows any international organization in Kansas City to share information and events."
In addition, Phillips serves as Vice President of the Edgar Snow Memorial Fund, through which he has established a key understanding of Chinese culture, Vice President of the Society for Friendship with China and is on the board of the International Academy of Mediators. Phillips is one of a handful of U.S. lawyers on a panel of mediators for the United States-China Mediation Center that was formed by the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution in New York (CPR) and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT).
Phillips, along with Husch Blackwell Associate Fang Shen, assist clients with legal work related to China, and he also counsels boards of directors, general counsels, CEOs and human resource executives on employment matters and traditional labor relations.
“Kansas City Global would not have become a reality without John’s leadership and determination,” said Linda Trout, IRC Executive Director.
The award is named for Mike Wood, a long-time IRC member, board member and former president, in honor of his service to IRC and to the international Kansas City community. IRC's mission is to inspire, integrate, educate and represent a community of Kansas Citians engaged in international affairs and the critical global issues of current times.