Phillip A. Austin, aka “Mr. Mesa”, a distinguished attorney in Arizona, dedicated community leader, and champion of civil rights, passed away peacefully on December 20, 2024, at the age of 73. Born on February 17, 1951, Phil devoted his life to the pursuit of justice and equality for all.

Phil was born in his beloved Mesa, Arizona where his family has resided for over 100 years. He was raised by his loving parents, Albert "Beto" & Margaret "Maggie" Austin, who were well known community members who owned and operated Albert's Market in the Washington/Escobedo Park Neighborhood. His upbringing played a pivotal part in his life as he grew up with six siblings and close neighborhood friends. He attended Queen of Peace Elementary School and Brophy College Preparatory, Class of 1969.

A graduate of Santa Clara University and the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, Phil was well known for his student activism surrounding civil rights. He often recollected a particular event that ended up with his arrest after participating in a "sit-in" of the College President's Office to protest the firing of Latino faculty. He enjoyed a distinguished legal career being a leading voice for the Latino community in the East Valley and is credited with enhancing Latino representation in the public sector. He served as Assistant Attorney General and Chief Counsel for the Arizona Attorney General Civil Rights Division for sixteen years, where he tirelessly advocated for equal rights.

His distinguished career as an Arizona Assistant Attorney General and Chief Counsel was marked by his significant contributions to legislative efforts, including the successful passage of Arizona’s first fair housing legislation, anti-discrimination laws for the elderly and disabled, and initiatives fostering the development of dispute resolution and mediation programs throughout the state of Arizona.

Following this, Phil opened his own legal practice in downtown Mesa that encompassed a wide range of areas, including transactional law, employment law, and civil rights, with a particular focus on fair housing. He was a prominent figure with forty-eight years of experience and oftentimes sat on state and local advisory boards.

Phil’s impact extended far beyond the courtroom. He was a passionate advocate for the Latino community, founding the Mesa Association of Hispanic Citizens and the Albert D. Austin, Jr. Memorial Fund, which provides scholarships to aspiring students. He also established the Albert D. Austin Mariachi Academy, empowering young people through music education and cultural enrichment.

A tireless community builder, Phil played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Alston House Center for Peace and Justice, a hub for community services and social justice initiatives. He fought tirelessly against policies like SB1070 and donated space in his law firm as a community hub for anti-immigration efforts. As a result, he founded the Latino PAC del Rio Salado to endorse candidates who would be champions for the Latino community. He also founded the East Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, fostering economic growth and empowerment for Hispanic businesses and is credited with creating the EVHCC’s STEAM Scholars program which provides college scholarships to high school students.

Phil’s commitment to justice and equality earned him countless awards and recognitions, including the Phoenix Jaycee's Three Outstanding Young Men Award, Valle de Sol's Exemplary Leadership Award, and the NAACP's Roy Wilkens Award.

Aside from his many accolades, Phil will be most remembered for being an exceptional human. He was the caretaker of his community who always stopped for a car on the side of the road, gave free legal advice to friends, family and non-profits, for decades helped sponsor Christmas gifts for migrant families, never left a speech without a joke, threw the best Christmas parties, mentored countless people, was an incredibly devoted friend, father, husband and Tata, who always showed up for school events, and enjoyed being the family historian.

Phil is survived by his beloved wife, Christy, and his children, daughter, Lela and children Kandy and Kendall, son, Phillip, his wife Alisha, and their children Jaiden, Atticus, and Santana, son, Angelo, his wife Alexis and their children Andrés and Eva, and daughter, Lorena and her partner Kimberly, as well as, his siblings Charlie and Helen Austin, Carole Austin, Roddy and wife Kathy Austin, and Roseanne Newton. Phil is also survived by his stepchildren Lauren, Matthew, Nicholas, Adam, Claire Sliger, and her children Natalie and Noelle.

Phil has joined his dear son, Amado Austin, Mother and Father, Beto & Maggie, Brothers Butch & Ricky Austin, and Brother-in-law, Fred Newton.

A memorial service celebrating Phil’s life will be held on February 15, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Central Valley Christian Church in Mesa, Arizona.

Phil will be deeply missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and the countless individuals whose lives he touched through his unwavering dedication to justice and equality. May we continue his incredible legacy for generations to come. ¡Adelante, Siempre Adelante!

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