Debra L. Stephens

Debra Stephens
Chief Justice of the Washington Supreme Court
In office
January 5, 2020 – January 11, 2021
Preceded byMary Fairhurst
Succeeded bySteven González
Justice of the Washington Supreme Court
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 1, 2008
Appointed byChristine Gregoire
Preceded byBobbe Bridge
Personal details
Born
Debra Leigh Williams

1965 (age 58–59)
Spokane, Washington, U.S.
Spouse
Craig Stephens
​
(m. 1989)​
Children2
EducationGonzaga University (BA, JD)

Debra Leigh Stephens (née Williams; born 1965) is an American lawyer who has served as an associate justice of the Washington Supreme Court. She was appointed to the court in December 2007 by Governor Christine Gregoire[1] and took office on January 1, 2008.[2] She was elected by voters in 2008 and re-elected in 2014 and 2020. Prior to her appointment, Stephens served as a judge for Division Three of the Washington Court of Appeals and as an adjunct professor at Gonzaga University School of Law. She 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.[2]

  1. ^ Roesler, Richard (2007-12-04). "Local judge named to state's high court". Spokane Spokesman-Review. Archived from the original on 2011-06-07.
  2. ^ a b "Washington State Courts - Supreme Court Bios - Justice Debra L. Stephens". Archived from the original on 2021-01-11. Retrieved 2021-01-11.