Governor Gregoire Appoints Debra L. Stephens to Division III Court of Appeals

For Immediate Release: April 24, 2007

SPOKANE - Governor Chris Gregoire today announced the appointment of Debra L. Stephens of Spokane to the Division III Court of Appeals (District 1). The appointment is effective May 14, 2007.

�Debra Stephens� passion for public service and her vast experience with the appellate system will serve her well on the bench,� said Governor Gregoire. �She will make a fine judge.�

Debra Stephens is an attorney in Spokane, focusing on appellate practice since 1995 with appearances as lead appellate counsel in the Washington Supreme Court, Washington Court of Appeals, Idaho Supreme Court, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and as counsel of record in the United States Supreme Court.

She is a founding member of the Washington Appellate Lawyers Association and a contributing author to the Washington Appellate Practice Deskbook, including co-authoring a chapter on Amicus Curiae Practice. She has received recognition from �Washington Law & Politics� as a �Super Lawyer� (2003, 2005, 2006) and as one of the �Top 50 Women Lawyers� (2005) and �Top Appellate Lawyers� (2005). She has also taught as an adjunct professor at Gonzaga University School of Law since 1997.

Debra Stephens has served on the board of the Orchard Prairie School District since 1997 and is currently the chair. She is on the board of the Spokane Valley Rotary Club, has served as both a Deacon and Elder at Millwood Community Presbyterian Church and as a member of the �Joshua�s Hugs� fundraising circle for Sacred Heart Children�s Hospital Foundation. She is on the board of advisors of People for Environmental Action and Community Health and is a mentor with Upward Bound and at Gonzaga University.

Debra Stephens received her Bachelor of Arts degree, Magna Cum Laude with honors, and her Juris Doctorate, Summa Cum Laude, from Gonzaga University. She is married to Craig Stephens and they reside with their two children, Lindsey and Bob, in Spokane.

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