Background
Phillips, Thomas Royal was born on October 23, 1949 in Dallas, Texas, United States. Son of George S. and Marguerite (Andrews) Phillips.
state supreme court chief justice
Phillips, Thomas Royal was born on October 23, 1949 in Dallas, Texas, United States. Son of George S. and Marguerite (Andrews) Phillips.
Bachelor, Baylor University, 1971; Juris Doctor, Harvard University, 1974; Doctor of Laws (honorary), Texas Technology U., 1997; Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), St. Edwards U., 1998.
Briefing attorney, Supreme Court Texas, Austin, 1974-1975;
associate, Baker & Botts, Houston, 1975-1981;
judge, 280th District Court, Houston, 1981-1988;
chief justice, Supreme Court Texas, Austin, since 1988. Member commission on federal-state relations Judicial Conference United States, 1990-1996. Chair Texas Judicial district Board, since 1988.
Member State Judges Mass Tort Litig. Committee, 1991-1996. Board directors Elmo B. Hunter Citizens Center for Judicial Selection, 1992-1994, Southwestern Legal Foundation.
Member National Conference Chief Justices, since 1988, president, 1997-1998. Advisory director Review of Litig., University Texas Law School, since 1990. Chair National Mass Tort Conference Planning Committee, 1993-1994.
Board advisors Center for Public Policy Dispute Resolution, University Texas Law School, since 1993. Member planning committee South Texas College of Law Center for Creative Legal Solutions, since 1993. Member American Bar Association (task force lawyers political contributions 1997-1998), American Law Institute (advisor Federal Judicial Code Project since 1996), National Center for State Centers (chair, board directors 1997-1998), State Bar Texas (chairman pattern jury charges IV committee 1985-1987, vice chairman administration justice committee 1986-1987), American Judicature Society (board directors 1989-1995, Executive Board 1995-1996), Texas Philological Society, Houston Philological Society, Houston Bar Association, Travis County Bar Association.
Married Lyn Bracewell, June 26, 1982. 1 son, Daniel Austin Phillips. 1 stepson, Thomas R. Kirkham.