[2] Phillips then earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri School of Law in 1996.

[2][3] On September 30, 2009, President Barack Obama nominated Phillips to serve as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri.

[5][3] On June 7, 2011, President Barack Obama nominated Phillips to a seat on United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

[2] She would replace Judge Ortrie D. Smith, who assumed senior status in 2011.

On March 6, 2012, the United States Senate confirmed Phillips' nomination by a 95–2 vote.