Debra Leigh Williams grew up in Spokane, graduating from West Valley High School, 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.
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 southern Early life and education
Stephens taught Speech Communications and coached the Debate Team at Spokane Falls Community College in 1987-1988, and was Assistant Dean of Admissions at Gonzaga University from 1988-1990.
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 1993-1995.
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.
In addition, she is a contributing author to the Washington Appellate Practice Deskbook. 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 southern Stephens served for over a decade on the Board of Directors of the Orchard Prairie School District Number. 123, and was also on the Board of Directors for the Spokane Valley Rotary Club.
She 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.
