Philip Whiteaker at a glance
- Current role
- Former Judge
- Current assignment
- Court of Appeals of Arkansas
- Jurisdiction
- Arkansas · State
- Judicial service
- Former
Philip Whiteaker
Former Judge · Arkansas Court of Appeals
Biography
Professional career
- Current role (until 2022): Judge, District 1, Position 2, Arkansas Court of Appeals
- Judge, Court of Appeals of Arkansas, 2013-present
- Phillip T. Whiteaker was a judge on the Arkansas Court of Appeals from 2012 until his retirement in 2022, serving a full eight-year term after initial election and re-election.
- Earlier career: held the role of a deputy prosecuting attorney (1993–1997) Law
Education
- Southern Methodist University — J.D.
Additional information
- Retired: December 31, 2022, after 10 years on the Court of Appeals Law.
- Elected: 2012 to fill a vacant seat; re-elected in 2014.
- Known for a thoughtful, merciful approach to justice, valuing the human stories behind legal issues.
- During his tenure, Whiteaker authored numerous published opinions, including cases involving the Arkansas Department of Human Services.
- His judicial record reflects a focus on both legal precision and compassion.
- His temperament, collegiality, and wit were widely appreciated by colleagues Law.
- Whiteaker was a member of the American Bar Association, Arkansas Bar Association, Pulaski County Bar Association, Lonoke County Bar Association, Judge Henry Woods American Inn of Court, and the Arkansas Judicial Council.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Remote appearances
Statewide
Arkansas Judiciary publishes electronic-hearing Zoom resources and court-user guides for remote proceedings.
Zoom Guides for Court UsersArkansas Judiciary: Electronic Hearings With Zoom ↗
Recording and broadcasting
Statewide
Arkansas Judiciary publishes state-district-court digital audio recording guidance as an official court resource.
AOC Provisional Guidelines for Digital Audio Recording in State District CourtsArkansas Judiciary: District Courts ↗
Sources
Identity source checked August 22, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 2, 2026.
Arkansas Court of Appeals current judicial profile
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 22, 2026
View Arkansas Court of Appeals current judicial profile ↗Arkansas Judiciary: Electronic Hearings With Zoom
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Arkansas Judiciary: Electronic Hearings With Zoom ↗Arkansas Judiciary: District Courts
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Arkansas Judiciary: District Courts ↗