Mr. Christopher v. Phan runs a successful law firm, Phan & Thieu, LLP, with his partner, Ms. Dominique Thieu, in Fountain Valley, California. The firm specializes in business litigation, criminal defense, immigration, and family law.

He immigrated to the United States from Vietnam When he was nine years old. His family and he settled in Carmel, Indiana. After high school, Mr. Phan attended college at Indiana University. Mr. Phan graduated from Southern Illinois University School of Law in 1999 and joined the Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps.

Board Member
Christopher Vinh Phan

After completing Officer Indoctrination School and Naval Justice School in Newport, Rhode Island, Mr. Phan reported to Naval Legal Service Office, Branch Office Earle, New
Jersy in April 2001 for his first tour of duty. At Earle, Mr.Phan served as defense counsel, legal assistance attorney, and Branch Head. He drafted over two thousand wills and powers of attorney for deploying troops after 9/11.

Mr. Phan reported to the Trial Service Office, Yokosuka, Japan in July 2003 and served as trial counsel. He prosecuted over 100 cases including rape, murder, and aggravated assault. He also served as detachment training officer for 15 personnel and provided command services to 14 different commands concerning military justice issues.

Mr. Phan served as Staff Judge Advocate for Commander, Naval Special Warfare Group One from May 2005-May 2007. During this time, he deployed to Iraq with a SEAL squadron for six months. His primary duties there included detainee operations and advising Commanders on the rules of engagement and the Geneva Convention regulations.

Mr. Phan then served as Staff Judge Advocate for Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton and then as trial counsel at the Region Legal Service Office Southwest in San Diego, California. He is licensed to practice law in Illinois and California.

He is currently in the Naval Reserve and is authorized to wear the Navy Commendation Medal (gold star in lieu of 2nd award), the Navy Achievement Medal (gold star in lieu of 3rd award), the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Marksman Riffle Ribbon, and the Sharpshooter Pistol Ribbon. In his spare time, Mr. Phan enjoys working out, running marathons, and spending time with his friends and family.