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.
Beth Phillips | |
---|---|
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri | |
Assumed office January 3, 2019 | |
Preceded by | David Gregory Kays |
Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri | |
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 54–55) Kirksville, Missouri, U.S. |
Education | University of Chicago (BA, MA) University of Missouri (JD) |
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]
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]
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.