Phil was born and reared in Harlan County, Kentucky, the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, where his third-generation coal mining family taught and modeled the values of hard work. Working his way through Alice Lloyd College at Pippa Passes, Kentucky, Phil paid his way through college. Alice Lloyd is one of only a handful of U.S. educational institutions mandating all students work to pay for their educations. Flourishing at Alice Lloyd College, Phil was active in student government, President of the Law Society, and elected to several positions of leadership in work and academics.
Phil developed a deep love and appreciation for his Appalachian roots and culture. He was encouraged by his parents and the administration at Alice Lloyd College to attend law school. In 1999 Phil graduated from the Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville. He has lived and practiced law in Louisville for the last twenty-two years, though the people and the mountains of Eastern Kentucky remain an important part of his life.
Music has long been an expression of Phil’s spiritual life. He started singing in his local church at age 15 and was soon performing at regional events and other churches, continuing while touring the United States as a member of the Alice Lloyd College Voices of Appalachia Choir. He was later inducted into the Kentucky All-Collegiate State Choir, a high and distinctive honor.
Since joining Southeast Christian Church in 1997, Phil has shared his love of music through active participation on the worship team. An avid reader, Phil prefers history from the medieval era, though he is also partial to early twentieth century and Eastern Kentucky mining history, focusing on its effect upon Appalachian culture, family life and environment.
Phil has been married to his high school sweetheart J.J. Young Monhollen for twenty-seven years. They have three children: eighteen year-old daughter Leslie, sons Harlan who is fourteen and Henry who is eight.
For twenty-two years Phil has brought to the practice of law the values of hard work and steadfastness of character he learned in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky. Throughout his years as an attorney, he has been active in simple probate matters and major plaintiff cases, while concentrating on nursing home and medical malpractice defense litigation. He is no stranger to the courthouse.