Judge Debra L. Stephens

DIVISION III, POSITION 4

May 11, 2007–December 31, 2007

Appointed by Governor Gregoire; Appointed Supreme Court Justice

I was appointed to Division III of the Court of Appeals in May 2007, following the retirement of Judge Kenneth Kato. After being retained in the November 2007 election, I was appointed to the Washington State Supreme Court, effective January 1, 2008. I am the first judge from Division III, and the first woman from Eastern Washington, to serve on the state Supreme Court — though I will certainly not be the last! I am forever grateful for the opportunity I had to serve with and learn from my Division III colleagues — Judge Stephen Brown, Judge Teresa Kulik, Judge John Schultheis, and Judge Dennis Sweeney.

Prior to joining the bench, I practiced law in Spokane, beginning as a law clerk to Judge Fred L. Van Sickle, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, and then as co-coordinator of the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association (later Washington State Association for Justice) Amicus Curiae Program. I also taught as an adjunct professor at Gonzaga University School of law, my alma mater (J.D. 1993 and B.A. 1987), and was a volunteer supervising attorney for the University Legal Assistance Clinic. I was a contributing author to the Washington Appellate Practice Deskbook and a founding member of the Washington Appellate Lawyers Association.

I have always enjoyed being active in the community. I served for over a decade on the Orchard Prairie School Board of Directors, and have also been a board member for my Rotary Clubs (in Spokane and Olympia), my church, and several community organizations. I am a past President of the Hon. Robert J. Bryan Inn of Court (South Puget Sound), a member of the Washington State Minority and Justice Commission, and a volunteer mentor for youth, law students, and young lawyers.

My husband Craig and I have been married since 1989, and have a daughter and a son. We enjoy golf, tennis, playing music, and spending time at our family cabin on the Snake River.