Virginia Phillips

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Virginia A. Phillips is a judge on senior status with the United States District Court for the Central District of California. She joined the court in 1999 after being nominated by President Bill Clinton (D). Phillips assumed senior status on February 14, 2022.^[1] Phillips served as chief judge of the district court from 2016 to 2020.^[1]

Early life and education

Born in Orange, California, Phillips graduated from the University of California-Riverside with her bachelor's degree in 1979 and from the University of California-Berkeley's Boalt Hall School of Law with her juris doctorate in 1982.^[1]

Professional career

Phillips was a private practice attorney in California from 1982 to 1991 and later served as a court commissioner for the Riverside Superior Court from 1991 to 1995.^[1]

Judicial career

Central District of California

Phillips served as a federal magistrate judge for the United States District Court for the Central District of California from 1995 to 1999.^[1]

On the recommendation of U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, Phillips was nominated to the United States District Court for the Central District of California by President Bill Clinton (D) on January 26, 1999, to a seat vacated by William Byrne, Jr. Phillips was confirmed by the Senate on November 10, 1999, on a majority vote and received her commission on November 15, 1999.^[2]

Phillips served as chief judge of the district court from 2016 to 2020.^[1] Phillips retired on February 14, 2022.^[3]

Noteworthy cases

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy (2010)

See also: United States District Court for the Central District of California (Log Cabin Republicans v. United States of America, et al, CV 04-08425-VAP(EX))

In September 2010, Judge Phillips ruled that the U.S. military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, which outlined the rules regarding homosexuals serving in the armed forces, violated the First and Fifth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. The ruling found in favor of the plaintiffs, stating that the policy restricts soldiers' rights to substantive due process and free speech. However, the policy was not overturned as a result.^[4]

See opinion here: Log Cabin Republicans v. United States of America