Board of Directors

Philip N. Margolius, President

Managing Partner, The Margolius Law Firm, LLP

Phil has been practicing law for over 45 years.  A native Washingtonian, Phil graduated from Coolidge High School and went on to attend Dartmouth for his undergraduate studies and graduated with an LLB from Yale Law School.  Phil was a senior partner for almost forty years at Margolius Mallios et al.  In 2002, he started a smaller version of his firm, where he could dedicate his time and take the utmost care in providing his services to his clients in a more personal setting.

Phil has been recognized as one of the District’s best and top Real Estate lawyers and also as a preeminent Estate and Trust Lawyer.  Phil has been the long time trusted legal, investment, trust and foundation advisor for local families.

Phil was married to his wife Phyllis for 46 years.  Phyllis passed away February 2014 after a courageous battle with cancer.  They have three children, David, Kenny and Jennifer.  They are also fortunate to be grandparents of 5, Ma’ayan, Ro’i, No’a, Jocelyn and Jesse.

Phil is well known for his philanthropy.  He has served as president of numerous Washington D.C. Jewish charitable organizations including Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, the United Jewish Endowment Fund and the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington.  He established the Phyllis Margolius Family Foundation in 2014 and currently serves as its president.

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • The Bar Association of the District of Columbia Probate and Real Property Section Member

Classes/Seminars Taught

  • The American University Washington College of Law, Estate Planning and Drafting Adjunct Professor, 1999 – 2000

Honors and Awards

  • Named Expert Attorney in Estate Planning and Real Estate Washingtonian Magazine
  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America for Real Estate
  • Elected to Membership in the Cosmos Club, 1999

Pro Bono Activities

  • United Jewish Appeal Federation of Greater Washington, Past President, 1991 – 1993
  • United Jewish Endowment Fund of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, Past President, 1995 – 1997
  • Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, Past President, 1983 – 1985
  • Jewish Community Centers Association, Member of Board of Directors
  • The Phyllis Margolius Family Foundation, Inc., President
  • The Aaron and Cecile Goldman Family Foundation, General Counsel

David Margolius, Vice President

Freelance Marketing Copywriter

David has been involved in the Israeli high-tech sector for over 20 years.  He has worked as a marketing writer and managed writing teams for several leading international companies, including Amdocs, VocalTec and Finjan.  For the past nine years, David has been self-employed as a freelance copywriter, specializing in the fields of cyber security, mobile communications and software development.

A native of Washington DC, David graduated from Brandeis University in 1982 with a B.A. in Politics.  He moved to Israel in 1983 and served in a combat infantry unit in the IDF.  David currently lives in Herzliya with this wife and three children.

Pro Bono Activities

  • Vice President, The Phyllis Margolius Family Foundation, Inc.
  • Member, The Aaron and Cecile Goldman Family Foundation
  • Actively supports the Leket Israel food rescue organization and other non-profit organizations in Israel and the United States.

Kenneth E. Margolius, Treasurer

Born May 16, 1962 in N.W., Washington, DC.  Kenneth currently resides in Charlottesville, Virginia.

“I grow a vegetable garden so that I may live; but flower gardens so that life is worth living”.  That is a quote close to the heart of things that matter to Kenneth Margolius.  In and around communities where gardens, parks, clean air, and open spaces prevail is where he usually can be found — be it in central Virginia, Vermont, Maine, West Virginia or elsewhere.  Building into his daily routine the time to use his skills to extend generosity, and kindness to others, or further the beauty in his community, is central to his activities.  Kenneth currently is involved in residential and commercial design, consulting and gardening projects around the Charlottesville area.

A lifelong interest in the outdoors and the natural environment led Kenneth Margolius to pursue an education in Horticulture and Landscape Architectural Design, in which he earned a B.S. degree from the University of Maryland.  Landscape gardening, consulting, teaching and work projects have led him to notable collaborations with the US Environmental Protection Agency; The USDA; The Town of Middlebury, Vermont; the Vermont Department of Transportation; the Office of Dan Kiley ASLA; The Cleveland Botanic Garden and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Other key areas of interest and expertise include old bicycles and old boats.  Kenneth stays busy in his free time riding and restoring vintage bicycles, and spent four years sailing a 1904 sloop for a sailing charter company on Lake Champlain in Vermont.  During that time, he also volunteered with the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum to help build and launch a replica 1890’s wooden canal schooner, the Lois McClure.

Kenneth views it as a great privilege to be on the board of directors of the Phyllis Margolius Family Foundation with such experienced and accomplished fellow directors.  To help further extend the exemplary type of leadership, kindness and thoughtfulness shown by his mother, Phyllis, is his goal for the Foundation.

Pro Bono Activities

  • Vice President, The Phyllis Margolius Family Foundation, Inc.
  • Member, The Aaron and Cecile Goldman Family Foundation