--- title: "William E. Phillips II | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-e-phillips-ii-tn-court-of-appeals-judge-statewide" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # William E. Phillips II Tennessee Court of Appeals · Court of Appeals Judge ## Profile - Court: Tennessee Court of Appeals - State: Tennessee - Role: Court of Appeals Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - judge on the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Eastern Section, having assumed office on March 5, 2026 - Phillips was selected as a Circuit Court Judge for Tennessee’s 3rd Judicial District in 2021, a position he held until his elevation to the Court of Appeals ### Education - UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS Law School 2002 - Phillips earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of the South, Sewanee, and his J.D. from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. ### Additional information - Year Elected/Appointed: 2026 - Phillips is running for retention in the August 6, 2026 election to continue serving on the appellate bench - He also held the role of city attorney for Church Hill (2017–2022) and Rogersville (2021–2022) - Before joining the appellate court, he practiced law for 19 years at Phillips & Hale in Rogersville, Tennessee. - handling intermediate appellate cases. - He has deep professional and family roots in the Rogersville area, with his father, Bill Phillips, being a longtime local attorney. - His appointment to the appellate court followed a competitive selection process in which he was initially a finalist alongside other candidates ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### media coverage and recording Scope: statewide Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 30 allows media coverage of public judicial proceedings subject to the presiding judge's control and requires written media requests at least two business days before the proceeding unless waived. Evidence excerpt: Requests by representatives of the media for such coverage must be made in writing to the presiding judge not less than two (2) business days before the proceeding is scheduled to begin. [Rule 30: Media Guidelines](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-30-media-guidelines) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### recording restrictions Scope: statewide Tennessee Rule 30 prohibits media coverage of jury selection, jurors, closed proceedings, and certain minor or juvenile-court participants. Evidence excerpt: Media coverage of jury selection is prohibited. [Rule 30: Media Guidelines](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-30-media-guidelines) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote technology Scope: statewide Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 55 permits teleconferencing, video conferencing, or other technology for court proceedings at the discretion of the trial or appellate court. Evidence excerpt: The use of teleconferencing, video conferencing or other technology to conduct court proceedings or other court business remotely is permissible at the discretion of the trial or appellate court. [Rule 55: Use of Technology for Court Proceedings](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-55-use-technology-court-proceedings) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-appeals/judges/william-e-phillips-ii) - [Official roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-appeals/judges/william-e-phillips-ii) - [Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-appeals/judges/william-e-phillips-ii) - [Rule 30: Media Guidelines](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-30-media-guidelines) - [Rule 55: Use of Technology for Court Proceedings](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-55-use-technology-court-proceedings) - [William E. Phillips II](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-appeals/judges/william-e-phillips-ii) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-e-phillips-ii-tn-court-of-appeals-judge-statewide", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-e-phillips-ii-tn-court-of-appeals-judge-statewide", "name": "William E. Phillips II | KnowJudges", "description": "William E. Phillips II, Tennessee Court of Appeals. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-08-02", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-e-phillips-ii-tn-court-of-appeals-judge-statewide#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-e-phillips-ii-tn-court-of-appeals-judge-statewide#judge", "name": "William E. 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