THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
___________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release September 30, 2009
___________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release September 30, 2009
President Obama Nominates Sanford Coats, Beth Phillips
and Stephanie Villafuerte to be U.S. Attorneys
and Stephanie Villafuerte to be U.S. Attorneys
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Obama nominated Sanford Coats, Beth Phillips and Stephanie Villafuerte to be U.S. Attorneys. Coats is a nominee for the Western District of Oklahoma, Phillips for the Western District of Missouri and Villafuerte for the District of Colorado.
"The men and women I am nominating today boast impressive legal careers that speak to their exceptional intellect and diligence," said President Obama. "They share a commitment to the pursuit of justice that will make them esteemed U.S. Attorneys and distinguished public servants. I am grateful for their willingness to serve their country."
Sanford Coats: Nominee for the Western District of Oklahoma
Sanford Coats has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma since 2004, and was Chief of the Major Crimes Section from 2007 to 2008. From 1999 to 2003, he was an associate at the Oklahoma City law firm Fellers, Snider, Blankenship, Bailey & Tippens. He received his B.A. from Tulane University in 1994 and his J.D. from the University of Oklahoma in 1998. After graduating from law school, he clerked for Judge Marian Opala of the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
Sanford Coats has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma since 2004, and was Chief of the Major Crimes Section from 2007 to 2008. From 1999 to 2003, he was an associate at the Oklahoma City law firm Fellers, Snider, Blankenship, Bailey & Tippens. He received his B.A. from Tulane University in 1994 and his J.D. from the University of Oklahoma in 1998. After graduating from law school, he clerked for Judge Marian Opala of the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
Beth Phillips: Nominee for the Western District of Missouri
Beth Phillips has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri since 2008, prosecuting child exploitation cases. Prior to joining the office, she was an attorney in the Leawood law firm Bartimus, Frickleton, Robertson & Gorny. From 1997 to 2001, she served as an assistant prosecutor in Jackson County. She received her B.A. and M.A. from the University of Chicago in 1991 and 1992, respectively, and her J.D. from the University of Missouri.
Beth Phillips has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri since 2008, prosecuting child exploitation cases. Prior to joining the office, she was an attorney in the Leawood law firm Bartimus, Frickleton, Robertson & Gorny. From 1997 to 2001, she served as an assistant prosecutor in Jackson County. She received her B.A. and M.A. from the University of Chicago in 1991 and 1992, respectively, and her J.D. from the University of Missouri.
Stephanie Villafuerte: Nominee for the District of Colorado
Stephamie Villafuerte currently serves as Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Bill Ritter. Prior to joining Governor Ritter’s campaign staff in July 2006, she was Denver’s Chief Deputy District Attorney. She served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney from 1998 to 2001, and as a Deputy D.A. from 1991 to 1998. She is also a board member of the Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She received her B.A. from the University of Denver in 1987 and her J.D. from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1991.
Stephamie Villafuerte currently serves as Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Bill Ritter. Prior to joining Governor Ritter’s campaign staff in July 2006, she was Denver’s Chief Deputy District Attorney. She served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney from 1998 to 2001, and as a Deputy D.A. from 1991 to 1998. She is also a board member of the Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She received her B.A. from the University of Denver in 1987 and her J.D. from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1991.
