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
^Woodrow, Stephanie (October 14, 2009). "Meet Beth Phillips". Main Justice. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved June 8, 2011.