Ex-trial lawyer Stephens joins state Supreme Court

Appellate judge Debra L. Stephens of Spokane was sworn in Monday as the 92nd justice to serve on the Washington Supreme Court.

Gov. Chris Gregoire appointed the former trial lawyer in December to replace Bobbe Bridge one year before the liberal justice's term expires.

Gregoire said she chose Stephens as someone who has the skill to make fair decisions but also the heart to bring "fairness and common sense" to the court.

Stephens, 42, becomes the only justice of nine from Eastern Washington and the first since former Chief Justice Richard Guy of Spokane retired in 2000. Stephens, who graduated from West Valley High School and Gonzaga Law School, worked as a trial lawyer before joining the court of appeals a year ago.

Stephens told the court she hopes to be a justice who listens and strives to understand.

"Today I am speaking the most words you'll ever hear me speak in this court," Stephens said. "Chief Joseph said it does not take many words to speak the truth."

One critic of the appointment noted in a phone interview that Stephens' background is tied to state trial lawyers.

"The thing about Stephens that is unusual is that she is so associated with one, very powerful special interest group," said Alex Hays, president of the nonprofit Justice for Washington that advocates for nonpartisan judges and judicial restraint. "I think she's got the brains to do it. Now the question is does she have the ethics to let go of her special interest past."

Stephens said in a brief interview that she has a conservative view of the courts.

"I don't believe courts should make the law. We don't make policy. We also don't solve people's problems. We tell them what the law requires" Stephens said.

Her former boss, Chief Justice Dennis Sweeney of the Court of Appeals' Division 3, gave a short tribute to her intellect.

Thurston County trial lawyer Leonor Fuller attended, saying she likes to learn about the new justices.

"What truly amazes me is she is a legal scholar but also a very well-rounded person," Fuller said later, adding that Stephens is very good at taking "labyrinthine legal issues and making them understandable to practitioners in the trenches.''

Justice Richard Sanders, a libertarian-oriented justice known for his dissenting opinions, welcomed the appointment.

"I predict I'll be writing fewer dissenting opinions. I think Debra Stephens has a respect for individual rights that I share in a lot of different ways," said Sanders, who shares a trial-lawyer background.

Chief Justice Gerry Alexander of Olympia said the court is "delighted" to have the new justice, the fourth woman on the panel.

Bridge, who served from 1999 to 2007, left the court last year to become founding president of the Center for Children & Youth Justice. The group is working to improve juvenile justice.

Bridge faced a potentially difficult re-election after her arrest in 2003 on drunken driving charges.

Stephens said she is organized for a campaign this fall for a full six-year term.