Judge David Earl Phillips was born in Easley, South Carolina, and is a life-long resident of Anderson County.  Judge Phillips graduated from Clemson University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. Thereafter, he attended law school at the University of South Carolina where he received his Juris Doctor in 1997.

Judge Phillips began his career with a law firm in Anderson, South Carolina, where he practiced for seven years. For a short period of time during these years, he served as juvenile public defender for Anderson County. In 2004, Judge Phillips opened his own firm and practiced as a sole practitioner for the next seven years. In late 2006, he began serving part-time as juvenile prosecutor for the Tenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office in Anderson County. In 2011, Judge Phillips entered full-time public service and accepted a job as assistant solicitor with the Tenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office where he continued to serve as juvenile prosecutor. In 2012, he was awarded the Ernest F. Hollings Award for Excellence in State Court Prosecution (Family Court Division). Throughout his career, Judge Phillips has practiced extensively in family court.

In 2013, the South Carolina General Assembly elected Judge Phillips to the office of Family Court Judge At-Large, Seat 6. His home office is in the Anderson County Courthouse. His administrative assistant is Jeanette Wright who worked for the Anderson County Clerk of Court assisting the court with child support matters prior to serving as Judge Phillips’ administrative assistant.

Judge Phillips is active in his church where he has served as a Sunday School teacher, choir member, praise team member, deacon, finance committee member, children’s committee member and pastor search committee member. Judge Phillips enjoys golfing, hunting, sports and music.