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Third Judicial District Circuit Court Judge William Erwin Phillips, II, was appointed Friday by Gov. Bill Lee to the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Eastern Section.

“I am proud to announce the appointment of Judge Phillips and value the significant experience he will bring to the Tennessee Court of Appeals,” said Lee. “Judge Phillips has been a faithful public servant, and I am confident he will continue to lead with integrity.”

William Phillips, II currently serves as a Circuit Court Judge for the Third Judicial District of Tennessee. Phillips earned his bachelor’s degree at Sewanee: The University of the South and juris doctor at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. He has been a judge since 2021.

Former Tennessee Department of Homeland Security Director, David Purkey of Morristown serves on the State Trial Court Vacancy Commission which recommends trial judge candidates to Lee for appointment due to midterm vacancies, praised Phillips’ appointment.

“This is a really big appointment,” Purkey said. “This gives our judicial district two judges on the state Court of Appeals, which is a rarity and indicative of the quality of trial judges here. Judge Phillips comes from a linage of excellent lawyers.”

The other judge in the Eastern Section is Thomas R. “Skip” Frierson, II, of Morristown, who has served since 2013.

His family had operated the Phillips and Hale law practice until the deaths of his father, Bill Phillips and Jim Phillips several years ago. Bill served as City Attorney of Rogersville for many years while Jim was the County Attorney for the County Commission and the Hawkins County Board of Education.

He served for 20 years as an attorney for Phillips and Hale before leaving the firm when he became a judge. Phillips was City Attorney for Church Hill from 2017-22 and for Rogersville in 2021-22.

After being appointed as Circuit Court Judge in 2021, he ran for election in 2022 and defeated two challengers in the Republican primary.

Phillips has been appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Chief Judge D. Michael Swiney. Phillips was one of five applicants for the vacancy selected on December 3. Other judges considered were Rachel Pack Hurt of Knoxville and Melissa Thomas Willis of Jasper. This appointment is subject to confirmation by the General Assembly.