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Phillips, Mary Elizabeth

Born 1969 in Kirksville, MO

Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri
Nominated by Barack Obama on June 7, 2011, to a seat vacated by Ortrie D. Smith. Confirmed by the Senate on March 6, 2012, and received commission on March 22, 2012. Served as chief judge, 2019-present.

Education:
University of Chicago, B.A., 1991
University of Chicago, M.A., 1992
University of Missouri School of Law, J.D., 1996

Professional Career:

Legislative assistant, U.S. Rep. Patsy Ann Danner of Missouri, 1993-1994
Assistant prosecutor, Jackson County, Missouri, 1997-2001
Private practice, Leawood, Kansas, 2001-2008
Special prosecutor, Circuit Court of Missouri, Sixteenth Judicial Circuit, 2002-2008
Assistant U.S. attorney, Western District of Missouri, 2008-2009; litigation consultant, 2008
U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri, 2009-2012