Tom Phillips Receives Prestigious Justice Award

Recognizing a lifetime dedication and devotion to the administration of justice in the United States, the American Judicature Society was privileged to present the 2007 Justice Award to Thomas R. Phillips, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas and a partner at Baker Botts L.L.P. The event was held at the Hilton Americas-Houston Hotel. Over 300 people attended the ceremony, which included a keynote address by former United States Secretary of State, James A. Baker, III. 

AJS President John R. Tunheim praised Chief Justice Phillips for his “extraordinary contributions to the administration of justice in Texas and across the country” and noted that his outstanding leadership has “made our courts more effective, more accessible, and more independent.” 

“Chief Justice Phillips has been a leading advocate for the adoption of merit-based selection systems for judges in Texas and other states,” remarked Seth S. Andersen, AJS Executive Vice President.  “His commitment to ensuring a fair and impartial judiciary enhances the quality of justice for all.” 

The Co-Chairs of the 2007 Justice Award were Harry M. Reasoner of Vinson & Elkins, LLP, and Joseph D. Jamail, Jr., of Jamail & Kolius. The late Honorable John L. Hill, Jr., past AJS Board Member and great friend to AJS, served as an original Co-Chair. As AJS President John R. Tunheim stated: “We pay tribute to John Hill, whose record of public service and commitment to improving the administration of justice in Texas and across the country was unparalleled.”  

Former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker delivered the event’s keynote address, discussing the importance of the rule of law in an increasingly global community. Noting America’s continuing role as the leading example for developing democracies to emulate, Secretary Baker said “steadfast obedience to the rule of law is in our nation’s best self interest.” On Tom Phillips, he included these comments: 

I can think of no better example of the American legal system at work than the reforms enacted by the Texas Supreme Court under the guidance of Tom Phillips. It is solid evidence that our system can correct itself for the better. The story, of course, is legendary. Phillips, the youngest chief justice in the state’s history, was appointed by Governor Bill Clements in 1987 at a time when the court’s reputation was at its lowest. Many Texans believed what “60 Minutes” reporter Mike Wallace had told them—that “justice was for sale” in their state. With Phillips as chief justice, the Texas Supreme Court’s commitment to the rule of law took center stage, and its legal opinions became respected across the nation for their scholarship and fairness. 

At the conclusion of Secretary Baker’s address, Harry Reasoner and Joe Jamail were joined by a special guest in presenting the award, Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson of the Texas Supreme Court, who succeeded Tom Phillips. 

Addressing the friends, family, colleagues, and distinguished guests gathered in his honor, Chief Justice Phillips commented on the seemingly increasing number and magnitude of concerted attacks on judges and the courts. Observing that “Because a judge’s only appropriate constituency is the law, not a political party, a group of supporters, or even mobilized public opinion,” Phillips said, “there will always be some tension between the courts and the popular branches of government.” For this reason, he continued, “we must redouble our efforts to engender continued support for the role of the courts in ensuring the rule of law” and “(t)o ensure that public trust, which is necessary to sustain our precious system of ordered liberty, we need groups like the American Judicature Society.” 

Tom Phillips began his public service career as a trial judge for six years. After seventeen years on the highest state court, Chief Justice Phillips retired from the Supreme Court of Texas in 2004. He had been elected and re-elected to that position in 1988, 1990, 1996, and 2002. While serving as chief justice, he was elected by his peers to serve as president of the Conference of Chief Justices, and chaired the Board of Directors for the National Center for State Courts. In 2005, he served on the Carter-Baker Commission on Federal Election Reform. That same year, the National Center for State Courts honored Chief Justice Phillips with the Harry L. Carrico Award for Judicial Innovation.  He is a past Director of AJS, serving from 1989 to 1995 and from 1999 to 2005. He currently serves as a member of the AJS National Advisory Council and chairs the AJS Advisory Committee to the Elmo B. Hunter Citizens Center for Judicial Selection. 

After retiring from the Texas Supreme Court, Chief Justice Phillips taught one year at South Texas College of Law in Houston and one semester at Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University in Dallas before returning to private practice.   

The AJS Justice Award, the Society’s highest honor, is given annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to improving the administration of justice nationally. Recent recipients include former Attorney General Benjamin Civiletti, former FBI and CIA director William Webster, and former chairman and CEO of West Publishing Dwight Opperman.