Congressman Sanford Bishop

Representing the 2nd District of Georgia

In Recognition of Presiding Judge Herbert E. Phipps

Mr. Bishop (GA) – Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure and honor to extend my sincerest appreciation and personal congratulations to Presiding Judge Herbert E. Phipps for his distinguished service on the Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia. On Monday, July 23, 2012, his legacy as a judge will be recognized at the Unveiling and Hanging of His Portrait at the Judicial Building in Albany, Georgia, where he first began his career as a judge in 1980.

Presiding Judge Phipps was born in Baker County, Georgia to J.W. Phipps and Marion Gadson Phipps. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Morehouse College in 1964. He has traveled throughout Europe and Asia and taught English at Thammasatt University and private schools in Thailand. He earned a Juris Doctor degree in 1971 from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland, Ohio where he also served as an editor of the Law Review. In 2004, he was awarded a Master of Laws in the Judicial Process from the University of Virginia School of Law.

Presiding Judge Phipps returned to Albany, Georgia in 1971 to practice law, focusing on civil rights litigation. In 1980, he was appointed part-time Magistrate and Associate Judge of the Dougherty County State Court and in 1988, he was appointed to the Dougherty Circuit Juvenile Court. In 1995, he was appointed Judge of the Dougherty County Superior Court by Governor Zell Miller and in 1999, Governor Roy Barnes appointed him to the Court of Appeals. In April 2010, he became a Presiding Judge of the Court of Appeals.

Due to his enduring dedication and his strong leadership, Presiding Judge Phipps has received many awards, including the Justice Robert Benham Award for Community Service from the State Bar of Georgia. In 2007, he was inducted into the Society of Benchers of Case Western Reserve School of Law and his Commencement Address to the Class of 2007 of Case Western Reserve School of Law, “Lawyers – the Guardians of Truth and Justice,” is published at 58 Case Western Reserve Law Review 483 (2008).

In conjunction with his professional accomplishments, Presiding Judge Phipps has served on a number of boards and commissions and has been involved with many law and professional organizations. He also lives a life of service and faith, attending Bethel A.M.E. Church in Albany and serving as a past President of the Albany Association for Retarded Citizens, the Albany Sickle Cell Foundation, the Faith Fund Foundation and The Criterion Club, as well as being a member of numerous community organizations.

Presiding Judge Phipps has accomplished many things in his life but none of this would have been possible without the enduring love and support of his wife Connie, children Herbert and India, son-in-law Will J. Epps and granddaughter Zoë Olivia Epps.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Presiding Judge Herbert E. Phipps for his outstanding professional achievements and dedicated service to the people of the state of Georgia.