Judge Virginia A. Phillips: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

CA Bar #: 105237 (December 1982)

Appointed By: Pres. William Jefferson Clinton

Biography

The Hon. Virginia A. Phillips is a Chief District Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division. She was originally seated as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Central District of California in 1995 and was subsequently nominated by President Bill Clinton to serve as a U.S. District Judge in January 1999. She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in November 1999. At the time of her confirmation, she assumed the seat vacated by the Hon. William Matthew Byrne, Jr. (deceased).


Judge Phillips graduated magna cum laude with her B.A. in history from the University of California, Riverside in 1979. She went on to earn her J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law in 1982.


After graduating from law school, Phillips entered into private practice, joining the Riverside law firm of Best, Best, and Krieger. She first practiced as an associate, but during her nine-year tenure with the firm, was eventually named a partner.


Then, in 1991, Phillips left the private sector when she was selected to serve as a court commissioner for the Riverside County Superior Court, a position she would hold until becoming a Federal Magistrate Judge for the Central District of California in 1995.


During her tenure on the U.S. District Court, Chief Judge Phillips ruled in 2010 that a 1993 U.S. military policy involving homosexuals serving in the armed forces was unconstitutional and subsequently issued an injunction banning the enforcement of the policy. In 2016, she assumed the position of Chief Judge, succeeding the Hon. George H. King in the position.


Chief Judge Phillips was born in Orange, California, the middle child of eight children. While in law school she met and married her husband, John A. Phillips, who was an accomplished author and history professor at the University of California, Riverside. Tragically, in 1998, he was killed in a car accident.


In her free time, Chief Judge Phillips enjoys spending time with her dogs and traveling to Europe.

Recent Cases by Hon. Virginia A. Phillips

On April 2, 2019 a dv prevention w/ minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Virginia A. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Apr 02, 2019

Status

Want of Prosecution

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

DV Prevention w/ Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 18, 2023

On December 24, 2018 a civil harassment prevention (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Virginia A. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Dec 24, 2018

Status

Want of Prosecution

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Civil Harassment Prevention (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Harassment

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 31, 2019

On July 10, 2018 a dissolution w/ minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Virginia A. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Jul 10, 2018

Status

Other

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Dissolution w/ Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 15, 2023

On February 20, 2018 a civil harassment prevention (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Virginia A. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Feb 20, 2018

Status

Active

Court

Van Nuys East

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Civil Harassment Prevention (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Harassment

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 14, 2023

On May 30, 2017 a dv prevention w/o minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Virginia A. Phillips presiding.

Filed

May 30, 2017

Status

Want of Prosecution

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

DV Prevention w/o Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 10, 2021

On May 30, 2017 a dv prevention w/ minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Virginia A. Phillips presiding.

Filed

May 30, 2017

Status

Want of Prosecution

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

DV Prevention w/ Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2022

On May 18, 2017 a civil harassment prevention (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Virginia A. Phillips presiding.

Filed

May 18, 2017

Status

Want of Prosecution

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Civil Harassment Prevention (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Harassment

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 09, 2022

On May 16, 2017 a civil harassment prevention (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Virginia A. Phillips presiding.

Filed

May 16, 2017

Status

Want of Prosecution

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Civil Harassment Prevention (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Harassment

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 08, 2022

On May 16, 2017 a civil harassment prevention (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Virginia A. Phillips presiding.

Filed

May 16, 2017

Status

Want of Prosecution

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Civil Harassment Prevention (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Harassment

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2022

On May 15, 2017 a civil harassment prevention (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Virginia A. Phillips presiding.

Filed

May 15, 2017

Status

Want of Prosecution

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Civil Harassment Prevention (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Harassment

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 12, 2021

On May 12, 2017 a civil harassment prevention (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Virginia A. Phillips presiding.

Filed

May 12, 2017

Status

Want of Prosecution

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Civil Harassment Prevention (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Harassment

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 13, 2023

On April 26, 2017 a dv prevention w/o minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Virginia A. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Apr 26, 2017

Status

Other

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

DV Prevention w/o Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 15, 2023

On April 4, 2017 a dv prevention w/ minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Virginia A. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Apr 04, 2017

Status

Other

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

DV Prevention w/ Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 09, 2022

On March 7, 2017 a dissolution w/o minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Virginia A. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Mar 07, 2017

Status

Active

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Dissolution w/o Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

May 30, 2017

On February 22, 2017 a dissolution w/o minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Virginia A. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Feb 22, 2017

Status

Other

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Dissolution w/o Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 15, 2023

On February 22, 2017 a dv prevention w/ minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Virginia A. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Feb 22, 2017

Status

Want of Prosecution

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

DV Prevention w/ Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 09, 2022

On February 16, 2017 a dv prevention w/ minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Virginia A. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Feb 16, 2017

Status

Want of Prosecution

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

DV Prevention w/ Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 08, 2021

On February 15, 2017 a dv prevention w/ minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Virginia A. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Feb 15, 2017

Status

Want of Prosecution

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

DV Prevention w/ Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 09, 2022

On February 14, 2017 a dv prevention w/ minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Virginia A. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Feb 14, 2017

Status

Want of Prosecution

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

DV Prevention w/ Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 16, 2021

On February 1, 2017 a dv prevention w/ minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Virginia A. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Feb 01, 2017

Status

Want of Prosecution

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

DV Prevention w/ Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 10, 2022

On January 26, 2017 a dv prevention w/o minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Virginia A. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Jan 26, 2017

Status

Dismissal

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

DV Prevention w/o Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

May 16, 2021

On January 25, 2017 a dv prevention w/ minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Virginia A. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Jan 25, 2017

Status

Want of Prosecution

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

DV Prevention w/ Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 21, 2021

On January 25, 2017 a dv prevention w/ minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Virginia A. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Jan 25, 2017

Status

Other

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

DV Prevention w/ Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 09, 2022

On September 15, 2016 a dissolution w/ minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Virginia A. Phillips presiding.

Filed

Sep 15, 2016

Status

Other

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Dissolution w/ Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 22, 2017

Please wait a moment while we load this page.

New Envelope