Debra L. Stephens
Encyclopedia
Debra L. Stephens is a member of the Washington Supreme Court
. She was appointed to the court in December 2007 by Governor Christine Gregoire
and took office in January 2008. Justice Stephens is the first judge from Division Three of the Court of Appeals to serve on the Washington State Supreme Court, and the first woman from Eastern Washington to do so.
, where she was student body president and a national “Century III Leader.” She attended Gonzaga University
on a debate scholarship, graduating Magna Cum Laude with Honors in 1987, and later attended Gonzaga University School of Law
as a Thomas More Scholar, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1993.
in 1987-88, and was Assistant Dean of Admissions at Gonzaga University from 1988-90. Upon graduation from law school, Stephens clerked for the Honorable Fred L. Van Sickle, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington from 1993-95. She has taught as an adjunct professor at Gonzaga University School of Law since 1995.
In private practice, Stephens' legal work focused on appellate practice, with over 125 appearances in the Washington Supreme Court, in addition to appearances in the Washington Court of Appeals
, Idaho Supreme Court
, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
and as counsel of record in the United States Supreme Court. From August 1995 until April 2007, she helped coordinate the Amicus Curiae Program of the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association Foundation, the longest standing institutional "friend of the court" program in the State. In addition, she is a contributing author to the Washington Appellate Practice Deskbook, and is known as a prolific writer and speaker at continuing legal education programs.
Stephens was appointed as a judge for Division Three of the Washington Court of Appeals in April 2007 and later elected unopposed. On December 4, 2007, she was appointed to the Washington State Supreme Court, and took office January 1, 2008. Justice Stephens is the first judge from Division Three of the Court of Appeals to serve on the Washington State Supreme Court, and the first woman from Eastern Washington to do so.
Stephens is firmly committed to public service and community involvement. She previously served for over a decade on the Board of Directors of the Orchard Prairie School District No. 123, and was also on the Board of Directors for the Spokane Valley Rotary Club. She previously served as both a Deacon and Elder of Millwood Community Presbyterian Church. She has been a strong advocate for pro bono legal services, and was formerly a volunteer supervising attorney at Gonzaga’s University Legal Assistance clinic. She is a trustee of the Washington Judicial College, and served on the appellate court education committee and the court rules committee.
Washington Supreme Court
The Washington Supreme Court is the highest court in the judiciary of the U.S. state of Washington. The Court is composed of a Chief Justice and eight Justices. of the Court are elected to six-year terms...
. She was appointed to the court in December 2007 by Governor Christine Gregoire
Christine Gregoire
Christine O'Grady "Chris" Gregoire is the 22nd and current Governor of the state of Washington, and a member of the Democratic Party. Gregoire defeated Republican candidate Dino Rossi in 2004, and again in 2008. She is the second female governor of Washington...
and took office in January 2008. Justice Stephens is the first judge from Division Three of the Court of Appeals to serve on the Washington State Supreme Court, and the first woman from Eastern Washington to do so.
Early life and education
Debra Leigh Williams grew up in Spokane, graduating from West Valley High SchoolWest Valley High School (Spokane)
West Valley High School is a public secondary school in Spokane, Washington. It enrolls over 900 students in grades 9 through 12. The school colors are orange and black and the mascot is the eagles....
, where she was student body president and a national “Century III Leader.” She attended Gonzaga University
Gonzaga University
Gonzaga University is a private Roman Catholic university located in Spokane, Washington, United States. Founded in 1887 by the Society of Jesus, it is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities and is named after the young Jesuit saint, Aloysius Gonzaga...
on a debate scholarship, graduating Magna Cum Laude with Honors in 1987, and later attended Gonzaga University School of Law
Gonzaga University School of Law
The Gonzaga University School of Law is one of the professional graduate schools of Gonzaga University, located in Spokane, Washington, USA. Established in 1912, the law school is viewed as a strong institution in the Pacific Northwest, and is the only law school in the State of Washington...
as a Thomas More Scholar, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1993.
Career
Stephens taught Speech Communications and coached the Debate Team at Spokane Falls Community CollegeSpokane Falls Community College
Spokane Falls Community College is part of the Community Colleges of Spokane.The college, also known as The Falls, opened in 1967 in west Spokane, south of Riverside State Park, on a campus....
in 1987-88, and was Assistant Dean of Admissions at Gonzaga University from 1988-90. Upon graduation from law school, Stephens clerked for the Honorable Fred L. Van Sickle, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington from 1993-95. She has taught as an adjunct professor at Gonzaga University School of Law since 1995.
In private practice, Stephens' legal work focused on appellate practice, with over 125 appearances in the Washington Supreme Court, in addition to appearances in the Washington Court of Appeals
Washington Court of Appeals
The Washington Court of Appeals is the intermediate level appellate court for the state of Washington.The court is divided into three divisions. Division I is based in Seattle, Division II is based in Tacoma, and Division III is based in Spokane....
, Idaho Supreme Court
Idaho Supreme Court
The Idaho Supreme Court is the state supreme court of the state of Idaho, composed of the chief justice and four associate justices.The decisions of the Idaho Supreme Court are binding on all other Idaho state courts.The only court that may reverse or modify its decisions is the Supreme Court of...
, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is a U.S. federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:* District of Alaska* District of Arizona...
and as counsel of record in the United States Supreme Court. From August 1995 until April 2007, she helped coordinate the Amicus Curiae Program of the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association Foundation, the longest standing institutional "friend of the court" program in the State. In addition, she is a contributing author to the Washington Appellate Practice Deskbook, and is known as a prolific writer and speaker at continuing legal education programs.
Stephens was appointed as a judge for Division Three of the Washington Court of Appeals in April 2007 and later elected unopposed. On December 4, 2007, she was appointed to the Washington State Supreme Court, and took office January 1, 2008. Justice Stephens is the first judge from Division Three of the Court of Appeals to serve on the Washington State Supreme Court, and the first woman from Eastern Washington to do so.
Stephens is firmly committed to public service and community involvement. She previously served for over a decade on the Board of Directors of the Orchard Prairie School District No. 123, and was also on the Board of Directors for the Spokane Valley Rotary Club. She previously served as both a Deacon and Elder of Millwood Community Presbyterian Church. She has been a strong advocate for pro bono legal services, and was formerly a volunteer supervising attorney at Gonzaga’s University Legal Assistance clinic. She is a trustee of the Washington Judicial College, and served on the appellate court education committee and the court rules committee.