The Department of Political Science announced today that Ohio State Alumnus Carter Phillips (BA, Political Science, 1973) and his wife, Sue Henry, have generously committed $1 million to endow a professorship in the Department of Political Science.

“We are deeply honored that Carter and Sue have chosen to make such a meaningful gift to our department,’ said Herb Weisberg, chair, political science. “This professorship will help tremendously as we compete for the top talent in the field of political science from around the world.”

Phillips is the managing partner of the Washington, DC office of Sidley Austin LLP and is a member of the firm's management committee. He served as a law clerk to both Judge Robert Sprecher on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the seventh circuit and Chief Justice Warren E. Burger on the United States Supreme Court. Phillips served as assistant to the solicitor general for three years, during which time he argued nine cases on behalf of the federal government in the United States Supreme Court. Since joining Sidley, Carter has argued more cases before the Supreme Court of the United States as a private litigator than any other living lawyer.

The National Law Journal recognized Phillips as one of the 100 Most Influential Lawyers in America in 2006 and as runner up for its lawyer of the year award in 2000 and 2006. He is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, the premier professional associations for his specialties. In 2007, Phillips was selected by the Ohio State Alumni Association for its Professional Achievement Award in recognition of his distinguished career in and outstanding contributions to the legal profession. He is a member of the Ohio State University Arts and Sciences Advisory Committee.

Sue Henry earned a BA in political science from Miami University and a JD from Northwestern University. She is a member of the Miami University Alumni Advisory Board. Henry formerly served as Of Counsel for Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak, & Stewart, PC., and was appointed assistant professor of law, University of Illinois.