Beth Phillips

Beth Phillips
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2019
Preceded by	David Gregory Kays
Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri
Incumbent
Assumed office March 22, 2012
Appointed by	Barack Obama
Preceded by	Ortrie D. Smith
United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri
In office December 24, 2009 – March 22, 2012
Appointed by	Barack Obama
Preceded by	John Wood
Succeeded by	David Ketchmark (Acting)
Personal details
Born	1969 (age 55–56) Kirksville, Missouri, U.S.
Spouse	W. Brent Powell
Education	University of Chicago (BA, MA) University of Missouri (JD)

Mary Elizabeth "Beth" Phillips (born 1969) is the chief United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

Early life and education

Phillips was born in Kirksville, Missouri, in 1969.[1] She received two degrees from the University of Chicago, a Bachelor of Arts in 1991 and a Master of Arts in 1992.[2] Phillips then earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri School of Law in 1996.[2][3]

Career

U.S. attorney

On September 30, 2009, President Barack Obama nominated Phillips to serve as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri.[4] She was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 24, 2009.[5][3]

Federal judicial service

On June 7, 2011, President Barack Obama nominated Phillips to a seat on United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri.[2] She would replace Judge Ortrie D. Smith, who assumed senior status in 2011. She received a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on September 20, 2011, and her nomination was reported to the floor of the Senate by a voice vote on October 13, 2011. On March 6, 2012, the United States Senate confirmed Phillips' nomination by a 95–2 vote.[6] She received her commission on March 22, 2012.[3] She was sworn in on March 23, 2012.[7][3] She became chief judge on January 3, 2019.

References

1. Woodrow, Stephanie (October 14, 2009). "Meet Beth Phillips". Main Justice. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
2. The White House: Office of the Press Secretary (June 7, 2011). "President Obama Nominates Four to the United States District Court". whitehouse.gov. Retrieved June 8, 2011 – via National Archives.
3. Beth Phillips at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
4. The White House: Office of the Press Secretary (September 30, 2009). "President Obama Nominates Sanford Coats, Beth Phillips and Stephanie Villafuerte to be U.S. Attorneys". whitehouse.gov. Retrieved June 8, 2011 – via National Archives.
5. Ramonas, Andrew (December 24, 2009). "Senate Confirms Seven U.S. Attorneys". Main Justice. Archived from the original on March 26, 2012. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
6. "On the Nomination (Confirmation Mary Elizabeth Phillips, of Missouri, to be U.S. District Judge)". Retrieved 2022-11-05.
7. "U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips – Western District of Missouri". uscourts.gov. Retrieved 23 June 2015.

External links

• Beth Phillips at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
• Beth Phillips at Ballotpedia

Legal offices
Preceded by John Wood	United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri 2009–2012	Succeeded by David Ketchmark (Acting)
Preceded by Ortrie D. Smith	Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri 2012–present	Incumbent
Preceded by David Gregory Kays	Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri 2019–present