Rich Phillips
@rbphillipsjr.bsky.social
Texas appellate lawyer with experience in state and federal appeals; life-long Rangers fan; band geek; husband; father of six: proud pops to one granddaughter
I was honored to argue before the new 15th Court of Appeals of Texas this afternoon. I’m proud to be one part of a great client team. And thanks to Texas A&M Law School for hosting the court’s arguments this afternoon.
October 30, 2025 at 9:20 PM
I was honored to argue before the new 15th Court of Appeals of Texas this afternoon. I’m proud to be one part of a great client team. And thanks to Texas A&M Law School for hosting the court’s arguments this afternoon.
Has it really been 28 years? The best things in my life trace back to the fact that she said yes. We’ve had great adventures together. I love laughing with her. I love playing games with her. I love her example of Christlike love and service. But mostly, I just love her.
August 10, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Has it really been 28 years? The best things in my life trace back to the fact that she said yes. We’ve had great adventures together. I love laughing with her. I love playing games with her. I love her example of Christlike love and service. But mostly, I just love her.
I went to Eastland yesterday to argue a case in the Eastland Court of Appeals. And no trip to the Eastland County Courthouse is complete without paying respects to Old Rip. #AppellatePlaces
June 5, 2025 at 5:32 PM
I went to Eastland yesterday to argue a case in the Eastland Court of Appeals. And no trip to the Eastland County Courthouse is complete without paying respects to Old Rip. #AppellatePlaces
This story obliterates the claim that the lack of due process was no big deal.
A court order protected him from deportation. Now the government says it messed up but the court can’t do anything about it.
If due process doesn’t protect everyone, it doesn’t protect anyone.
A court order protected him from deportation. Now the government says it messed up but the court can’t do anything about it.
If due process doesn’t protect everyone, it doesn’t protect anyone.
BREAKING: Trump admin says it mistakenly deported a Maryland father who had *withholding of removal* back to El Salvador on March 15. Govt told court Monday it won't bring Kilmar Abrego Garcia back. "What.The.Fuck..." one govt attorney told me. www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc... @theatlantic.com
An ‘Administrative Error’ Sends a Maryland Father to a Salvadoran Prison
The Trump administration says it mistakenly deported an immigrant with protected status but that courts are powerless to order his return.
www.theatlantic.com
April 1, 2025 at 3:08 AM
This story obliterates the claim that the lack of due process was no big deal.
A court order protected him from deportation. Now the government says it messed up but the court can’t do anything about it.
If due process doesn’t protect everyone, it doesn’t protect anyone.
A court order protected him from deportation. Now the government says it messed up but the court can’t do anything about it.
If due process doesn’t protect everyone, it doesn’t protect anyone.
When “early spring” golf turns out to be “late winter” golf.
March 15, 2025 at 9:25 PM
When “early spring” golf turns out to be “late winter” golf.
I hereby present the continuing adventures of my misdirected package. 🧵
March 13, 2025 at 9:42 PM
I hereby present the continuing adventures of my misdirected package. 🧵
Newest Ranger fan and her proud grandpa. Can’t wait for her first game.
February 15, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Newest Ranger fan and her proud grandpa. Can’t wait for her first game.
Current view. Loving the grandpa life.
February 14, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Current view. Loving the grandpa life.
Last year, I passed a few milestones that make me “old” (turning 50, needing reading glasses). But this week, I passed the best one: I became a grandpa.
an elderly man is getting out of a car and the caption says grandpa shuffle viralhog
ALT: an elderly man is getting out of a car and the caption says grandpa shuffle viralhog
media.tenor.com
February 8, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Last year, I passed a few milestones that make me “old” (turning 50, needing reading glasses). But this week, I passed the best one: I became a grandpa.
Argument No. 1 ✅
Famous Ferdi ✅
Red beans and rice ✅
Now to work on argument number 2 (which I’m only second-chairing).
Famous Ferdi ✅
Red beans and rice ✅
Now to work on argument number 2 (which I’m only second-chairing).
January 7, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Argument No. 1 ✅
Famous Ferdi ✅
Red beans and rice ✅
Now to work on argument number 2 (which I’m only second-chairing).
Famous Ferdi ✅
Red beans and rice ✅
Now to work on argument number 2 (which I’m only second-chairing).
On my way to New Orleans to start the new year with a couple of days in the Fifth Circuit. I’m arguing tomorrow and then second-chairing an argument on Wednesday. #AppellateNewYear
January 6, 2025 at 10:45 PM
On my way to New Orleans to start the new year with a couple of days in the Fifth Circuit. I’m arguing tomorrow and then second-chairing an argument on Wednesday. #AppellateNewYear
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Merry Christmas to all!
Merry Christmas to all!
December 25, 2024 at 7:25 PM
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Merry Christmas to all!
Merry Christmas to all!
Helping my 8th grader with a writing assignment that baffles me. Other than proper nouns, no word in the first paragraph can include the letter “e.” I get the idea of making them think about word choice but the paragraph is demonstrably worse after applying the rule.
December 17, 2024 at 3:19 AM
Helping my 8th grader with a writing assignment that baffles me. Other than proper nouns, no word in the first paragraph can include the letter “e.” I get the idea of making them think about word choice but the paragraph is demonstrably worse after applying the rule.
Took an early flight this morning to Austin for the last meeting of the Texas Supreme Court Advisory Committee meeting that Chief Justice Hecht will preside over. The rules process is yet another area of the law that has benefitted from his leadership. #AppellateSky
December 6, 2024 at 1:39 PM
Took an early flight this morning to Austin for the last meeting of the Texas Supreme Court Advisory Committee meeting that Chief Justice Hecht will preside over. The rules process is yet another area of the law that has benefitted from his leadership. #AppellateSky
I’ve got the perfect res ipsa loquitor joke—but you’ll see the punchline coming from a mile away.
I have the perfect biglaw partner joke—I know I’ve heard it somewhere I’m sure you can find it with a quick Westlaw search
I have a joke about being a law firm partner, but pls hndl punch line thx.
December 4, 2024 at 12:20 AM
I’ve got the perfect res ipsa loquitor joke—but you’ll see the punchline coming from a mile away.
Picture you took (no description) to bring some zen to the timeline.
November 17, 2024 at 11:10 PM
Picture you took (no description) to bring some zen to the timeline.
Sunday brisket.✅
November 17, 2024 at 9:23 PM
Sunday brisket.✅
I’m back from my vote center. We’ve set up what we can for tomorrow and we’ll be back at 5:30 am to be ready for voters at 7:00. If you didn’t vote early, make a plan and vote tomorrow. See next post for Dallas County specific information. Make your voice heard. (1/2)
November 5, 2024 at 2:28 AM
I’m back from my vote center. We’ve set up what we can for tomorrow and we’ll be back at 5:30 am to be ready for voters at 7:00. If you didn’t vote early, make a plan and vote tomorrow. See next post for Dallas County specific information. Make your voice heard. (1/2)
Want to get involved on Election Day in Dallas County? I’ll be an election judge, and I need election clerks. If you live in Dallas County and are registered to vote, you can be a clerk. If interested, please reach out.
October 11, 2024 at 7:24 PM
Want to get involved on Election Day in Dallas County? I’ll be an election judge, and I need election clerks. If you live in Dallas County and are registered to vote, you can be a clerk. If interested, please reach out.
I am grateful today to remember those who gave the last full measure of devotion to ensure that we can enjoy the blessings of liberty.
May 27, 2024 at 8:26 PM
I am grateful today to remember those who gave the last full measure of devotion to ensure that we can enjoy the blessings of liberty.
Fall in the Ouachita National Forest.
November 29, 2023 at 4:06 PM
Fall in the Ouachita National Forest.
Happy Thanksgiving! Great weather for a Turkey Trot this morning.
November 23, 2023 at 5:10 PM
Happy Thanksgiving! Great weather for a Turkey Trot this morning.
Interesting rule amendments from #SCOTX today. Starting Feb. 1, 2024, petitions for review and responses to petitions for review will be required to have an Introduction "summarizing the reasons" the Court should or should not grant review.
www.txcourts.gov/media/145722...
www.txcourts.gov/media/145722...
October 4, 2023 at 9:25 PM
Interesting rule amendments from #SCOTX today. Starting Feb. 1, 2024, petitions for review and responses to petitions for review will be required to have an Introduction "summarizing the reasons" the Court should or should not grant review.
www.txcourts.gov/media/145722...
www.txcourts.gov/media/145722...
So, as I understand it, the interest must vest, if at all, no later than 21 years after the end of a life in being ...
October 4, 2023 at 1:11 AM
So, as I understand it, the interest must vest, if at all, no later than 21 years after the end of a life in being ...