Magnolia, Arkansas — Judge Ryan P. Phillips has declared his candidacy for the position of Circuit Judge for the 5th Division of the 13th Judicial District of Arkansas. His announcement follows his recent appointment by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders as Circuit Court Judge for Division 3, set to take effect on January 1, 2024, succeeding the retiring Judge Edwin Keaton.
Before his current role, Phillips served as the District Court Judge for the 39th Judicial District. He boasts a comprehensive legal background, having been a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the 13th Judicial District from 2007 to 2022. His legal experience is further enriched by his work in civil law, representing a diverse clientele, including individuals and corporations, at Crane, Phillips & Rainwater, PLLC, formerly known as Kinard, Crane, Butler & Phillips, from 2006 until 2022, where he became a partner in 2010.
Additionally, he held the roles of City Attorney for Stephens, Arkansas, from 2007 to 2022 and County Attorney for Lafayette County from 2016 to 2022. Phillips completed his secondary education at Magnolia High School in 1999 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Southern Arkansas University in 2003. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas School of Law in December 2005 and soon thereafter passed the Arkansas Bar exam in February 2006.
Beyond his legal career, Phillips has taken on numerous leadership roles in the community, dedicating his time and resources to several non-profit organizations that support Southwest Arkansas. He serves on the Mulerider Club Board and has been involved in SAU Mulerider Football broadcasts as a color commentator since 2011 and for Mulerider Baseball since 2018. He has also held leadership positions such as President of the Columbia County Bar Association and Board Member for both the Magnolia Boys & Girls Club and Columbia County Senior Meal Services.
Phillips, who married Katherine Cardwell in 2014, is a devoted father to their nine-year-old son, Bowen. The family actively participates in the First Presbyterian Church of Magnolia, where he teaches Sunday school and has served as a ruling elder. Their commitment to the local community reinforces his dedication to the success and well-being of individuals within the 13th Judicial District.
Believing firmly in his extensive experience and strong ties to the region, Phillips aims to uphold the legacies of retiring judges Larry W. Chandler and David W. Talley, Jr. He emphasizes his readiness to serve the citizens of the 13th Judicial District, which includes Calhoun, Cleveland, Columbia, Dallas, Ouachita, and Union Counties. The 5th Division primarily addresses criminal, domestic, probate, and juvenile matters.
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