Phaedra Parks
A true Renaissance woman, southern belle Phaedra Parks is a successful attorney, businesswoman, author, mortician, television personality, motivational speaker, social activist, certified reiki master healer and mother to two young sons.
As managing partner of The Parks Group, an Atlanta-based law firm, Parks practices law in the areas of entertainment, intellectual property rights, and civil and criminal litigation. Her client roster includes celebrities, high-profile individuals and government entities. She is actively involved in the Atlanta legal community. She is the past president of the Gate City Bar Association and has served on the advisory board of the American Bar Association; she is also a proud member of the Lawyers Club. Parks has been an on-air legal analyst for media outlets including NBC, Fox, CNN, truTV, EXTRA and Entertainment Tonight, and has been quoted on legal issues in dozens of publications including The New York Times, Newsweek and People.
A passionate social activist, Parks is a tireless advocate for brown boys and the LGBTQIA+ community. Through her nonprofit organization the Phaedra Foundation, she works with communities nationwide on the importance of positive male role models in the lives of Black boys and equality for everyone. She has spent time with the families of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and others who have been victims of violence and unjustified killings. Parks is a regular fixture in Washington, D.C., where she works with members of Congress on implementing initiatives to provide opportunities for at-risk youth. She is also outspoken on civil rights issues and has gone to cities from Selma, Alabama, to Flint, Michigan, to fight social injustices.
Parks is the author of the bestselling “Secrets of the Southern Belle: How to Be Nice, Work Hard, Look Pretty, Have Fun, and Never Have an Off Moment,” which provides insight and tips on how to have all the charm, confidence and grace of a true southern belle. As a motivational speaker, Parks regularly travels around the country and internationally to speak to different groups about subjects ranging from business and law to personal growth and achieving success. Parks is also a highly sought after funeral planner and director. She considers consoling grieving families and creating memorable funerals her ministry. As a television personality, Parks has appeared on “Real Housewives of Atlanta,” “Ultimate Girls Trip,” four-time Emmy® Award-nominated and Peoples Choice Award-winning series, “The Traitors” as well as “Will Trent,” and she has participated as a host on game shows “25 Words or Less” and “Pictionary.” Most recently, Parks became a certified level 2 reiki master.
Parks earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from Wesleyan College, a Juris Doctorate from the University of Georgia as well as a degree in mortuary sciences from Jefferson State College. Parks is the current president of the UGA Law School alumni association and an active board member. In 2016, she created and funded the Phaedra Scholars Scholarship which covers tuition for first-generation minority law students. In 2023, she implemented and funded the Safe Place Scholarship for law students to combat student homelessness and housing disparities.
In her spare time, Parks loves to travel abroad, garden, dance and ride horses. She is a Georgia native and currently lives in the Buckhead area of Atlanta with her two sons, Ayden and Dylan.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN: Athens, Georgia
BIRTHDATE: October 26
