ANGLETON, Texas – A Brazoria County attorney found in contempt for repeatedly using a racial slur “in a derisive manner” during a child custody trial must apologize to both the court and opposing counsel or face jail time and a monetary fine, according to newly filed court records.
Records show Judge Chad D. Bradshaw imposed sanctions against attorney Micheal Phillips after finding he used “a racial slur numerous times in court in a derisive manner.”
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The court sentenced Phillips to three days in jail and issued a $500 fine, but both punishments were suspended on the condition that he file a written apology to the court and a separate written apology to attorney Brenda DeRouen by June 30, 2026.
The contempt finding comes from a custody modification trial held earlier this month in Brazoria County Family Court.
Previous court records stated that, outside the presence of the jury and while arguments were being made on the record, Phillips “repeated a racial slur several times,” prompting the judge to find him in direct contempt of court.
The courtroom exchange drew strong reactions from attorneys involved in the case.
DeRouen previously described the conduct as “deeply disturbing,” saying the repeated use of the slur “had no legitimate evidentiary purpose” and appeared “demeaning” and “taunting rather than advocacy.”
“As a Black woman attorney practicing in Texas family courts, attorneys should be able to advocate fiercely for their clients without being subjected to racially charged conduct that undermines professionalism and dignity in the courtroom,” DeRouen said in an earlier statement to KPRC 2 News.
Phillips disputes accusations that he used the slur in a derogatory way. In a previous statement, he said the comments happened during an evidentiary argument outside the jury’s presence while objecting to testimony and language he said had repeatedly been introduced during trial proceedings.
Phillips also said he apologized immediately after the exchange.