Catalyzes the activation of phenylacetic acid (PA) to phenylacetyl-CoA (PA-CoA) (PubMed:2324116). Involved in the phenylalanine metabolism (PubMed:2324116, PubMed:8969218, PubMed:9600981). Can also use CTP and UTP as substrate (PubMed:2324116). 2-phenylacetate + ATP + CoA = AMP + diphosphate + phenylacetyl-CoA Inhibited by divalent cations (zinc, copper, mercury) and by the sulfhydryl reagents 5,5-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid), N-ethylmaleimide and p-chloromercuribenzoate. Optimum pH is 8.2. Optimum temperature is 30 degrees Celsius. The enzyme is heat stable. Aromatic compound metabolism; phenylacetate degradation. Monomer. Induced by phenylacetate. Mutant does not activate PA to PA-CoA but can completely catabolize all molecules that synthesize PA-CoA through other routes. Belongs to the phenylacetyl-CoA ligase family.