Archived Version: November 4, 2008
An information resource for Washington voters
Debra Stephens
Washington Supreme Court
Position Seven
This candidate will appear on the ballot without opposition.
Current Occupation/Employer: Justice, Washington Supreme Court
Education: B.A. and J.D., Gonzaga University; West Valley High, Spokane.
Legal/Judicial Experience: Extensive trial and appellate practice on both sides of Washington, including 120+ appearances before the Washington Supreme Court. Author and speaker at 100+ legal seminars. Appointed, then elected to Division Three of the Court of Appeals before joining the Supreme Court.
Family: Married 19 years to Craig Stephens; two children.
Significant Career Experience: Adjunct Professor at Gonzaga Law School since 1995, teaching state and federal Constitutional Law, Community Property and Appellate Advocacy. School board director from 1996-2007. Former community college instructor and Assistant Dean of Admissions at Gonzaga.
Candidate Statement: The first woman from Eastern Washington to serve on the State Supreme Court, Justice Debra Stephens brings unique experience as an attorney, constitutional law scholar, and Appeals Court judge to the bench. Rated “Exceptionally Well Qualified” by five separate Bar Associations, she is committed to protecting the rights and liberties of all Washingtonians.
Justice Stephens raised her family in Spokane while maintaining a law practice specializing in serving victims of crimes and their families.
On the Supreme Court, Justice Stephens is committed to upholding and respecting our laws and constitution free from bias, with a firm commitment to our shared values. Justice Stephens believes firmly that the law should be grounded in common sense, and address the needs of real people.
Active in her church and community, former chair of her local school board and a volunteer mentor to young women, Justice Debra Stephens brings real-world perspective and outstanding legal qualifications to the Supreme Court.
Endorsers include former Justices Richard Guy and Faith Ireland, dozens more former and current judges; Washington State Patrol Troopers, State Labor Council, State Council of Firefighters, business leaders, teachers, Conservation Voters, legal peers, community leaders, and both Republicans and Democrats throughout Washington.
| Questionnaire response: | For King County Democrats |
Video Voters' Guide:
| ORGANIZATION |
DEBRA STEPHENS |
|
Joint Asian Judicial Evaluation Committee |
Exceptionally Well Qualified |
| Latina/o Bar Association of Washington |
Exceptionally Well Qualified |
| Loren Miller Bar Association | Well Qualified |
|
Q-Law: GLBT Bar Association of Washington |
Exceptionally Well Qualified |
|
Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys |
Well Qualified |
| Washington Women Lawyers |
Exceptionally Well Qualified |
Important note! Each of these organizations uses its own standards and rating terms when evaluating candidates; please check their pages for further information. Candidates with an asterisk (*) were not rated, and the reasons vary. Some evaluations may still be in process; some candidates may not have been offered an opportunity to participate, or they may have declined to participate. Again, please check the organizations' pages for further details.
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