Orie Leon Phillips (November 20, 1885 – November 14, 1974) was a United States federal judge and the first chief judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.
Born in Mercer County, Illinois, Phillips received a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School in 1908. He had a private practice from 1910 to 1923 before becoming an assistant district attorney of the 8th Judicial District of New Mexico from 1912 to 1916. Phillips also served as a general attorney of St. Louis, Rocky Mt., and Pacific Company from 1917 to 1923 and was a member of the New Mexico State Senate from 1920 to 1923.[1]
President Warren G. Harding nominated Phillips to serve on the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico on February 28, 1923. He was confirmed by the United States Senate and received his commission on March 3, 1923. .[1]
President Herbert Hoover on April 18, 1929 nominated Phillips to serve on a newly created seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. He was confirmed by the United States Senate and received his commission on April 29, 1929. He served on the court until his death on November 14, 1974. From 1948 to 1956, he was the chief judge.[1]
Phillips was considered one of the final six prospects to replace Fred M. Vinsons on the U.S. Supreme Court, but was not chosen due to his age at the time.[2]