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Gregory Alan Phillips

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United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit

Tenure

2013 - Present

Years in position

Education

Personal

Gregory Alan Phillips is a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit. He joined the court in 2013 after a nomination from President Barack Obama. At the time of his nomination, he was the Attorney General of Wyoming and had held the position since March 2011.^[1]^[2]

Early life and education

Born in Evanston, Wyoming, Philips attended the University of Wyoming, graduating in 1983 with a B.A. He went on to earn his J.D. in 1987 from the University of Wyoming College of Law.^[3]

Professional career

2011-2013: Attorney General of Wyoming
2010-2011: Special assistant to the Governor for legislative affairs
2003-2010: Assistant United States attorney, District of Wyoming
2001-2002: Owner, Phillips Law Office
1998-2001: Partner, Mead & Phillips
1993-1999: State senator, Uinta County, Wyoming, Wyoming State Senate
1990-1991: Part-time deputy county attorney, Uinta County Attorney's Office
1989-1998: Partner, Phillips Law Offices
1987-1989: Law Clerk, Hon. Alan Johnson, [[United States District Court for the District of Wyoming^[3]^[4]

Judicial career

10th Circuit Court of Appeals

Nomination Tracker

Nominee Information
Name: Gregory Alan Phillips
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit
Progress
Confirmed 158 days after nomination.
Nominated: January 31, 2013
ABA Rating: Unanimously Well Qualified
Questionnaire: Questionnaire
Hearing: March 19, 2013
Hearing Transcript: Hearing Transcript
QFRs: QFRs (Hover over QFRs to read more)

Reported: April 18, 2013
Confirmed: July 8, 2013
Vote: 88-0

On January 31, 2013, President Obama nominated Gregory Alan Phillips to a post on the United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, filling the spot vacated by Terrence O'Brien upon his retirement.^[1] Obama commented on the nomination, stating:

“

Jane Kelly and Gregory Alan Phillips have proven themselves to be not only first-rate legal minds but faithful public servants. It is with full confidence in their ability, integrity, and independence that I nominate them to the bench of the United States Court of Appeals.^[3]^[5]

”

Phillips was rated Unanimously Well Qualified by the American Bar Association.^[6] Hearings on Phillips' nomination were held before the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary on March 19, 2013, and his nomination was reported by U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) on April 18, 2013. Phillips was confirmed on a recorded 88-0 vote of the U.S. Senate on July 8, 2013, and he received his commission the next day.^[2]^[7]

Noteworthy cases

Horse slaughterhouses may reopen prior to resolution of appeal (2013)

See also: United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit (Front Range Equine Rescue, et al v. Vilsack, et al, 13-2187)

On December 13, 2013, Judges Gregory Alan Phillips and David Ebel of the Tenth Circuit denied an emergency motion filed by animal rights groups for an injunction seeking to halt horse slaughterhouses from resuming operations for the first time since 2007. Plaintiffs requested a stay on those activities pending final resolution of their appeal, but "failed to meet their burden," according to the judges' decision. In the underlying case, animal rights groups sought to prevent the slaughter of horses in New Mexico, Missouri, and Iowa, claiming that the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued inspection permits to three slaughterhouses, but failed to prepare various documents essential to determining the environment impact of their intended operations, in violation of the National Environmental Policy Act. Chief Judge Christina Armijo of the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico temporarily enjoined the slaughter of horses while considering the case, but later dismissed the proceedings with prejudice. The plaintiff animal rights groups appealed to the Tenth Circuit, and on November 5, 2013, the appeals court issued a temporary stay of Judge Armijo's decision pending further review. About one month later, Judges Phillips and Ebel lifted that stay, citing the plaintiffs' likelihood of success in the final resolution of their appeal, making way for horse slaughterhouses to begin operations.^[8]^[9]

Awards and associations

Awards

2005: U.S. Postal Service Certificate of Appreciation for Assistance in Prosecution of Fraud Case
1994: Attendee, Program for Emerging Political Leaders, University of Virginia
1993: Special Recognition Award: Wyoming Public Employees Association
1993: Outstanding Freshman Senator
Order of the Coif
Land and Water Law Review

Associations

2011-Present: Commissioner, Wyoming Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission
2011-Present: American Inns of Court, Ewing T. Kerr Inn
2011-Present: Law Enforcement Academy Advisory Board
2011-Present: National Association of Attorneys General
2004-Present: Member, Cheyenne County Club
1998-1999: Rocky Mountain Presidential Primary Task
1995-2002: Board of Directors, Wyoming Community Development Authority
1995-1998: Rotary Club, Evanston, Wyoming
1995-1997: Board of Directors, Evanston Chamber of Commerce
1993-1994: Wyoming Task Force on Medicaid Cost
1990-1992: Board of Directors, Pioneer Counseling

Appointments

2011

Phillips was first appointed as Attorney General of Wyoming in March 2011 by Governor Matt Mead (R). Mead stated, "Greg is a critical thinker and he gets the job done. His leadership is exactly what Wyoming needs to address tough issues such as federal health care mandates and wolf management."^[10]

Campaign finance summary

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