Debra Hayes brings more than 25 years of courtroom and judicial experience to her role as Of Counsel at The Hornbuckle Firm. A respected former District Court Judge in Spokane County, she presided for over 16 years on both civil and criminal dockets and is widely recognized for her fairness, analytical skill, and dedication to justice.

Before joining the bench, Debra served nearly nine years as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Spokane County, where she tried numerous cases and developed deep expertise in trial advocacy, victim protection, and procedural reform. Her unique dual perspective—as both prosecutor and judge—enhances The Hornbuckle Firm’s litigation and case-evaluation practice.

A graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law (J.D., 1999), Debra was a Thomas More Scholar, a member of the Law Review, and a competitor on the National Mock Trial Team. She also served in the Women’s Law Caucus, which honored her with the Myra Bradwell Award for her leadership and commitment to advancing women in the legal profession.

Her leadership on firearm-surrender enforcement has been recognized locally—YWCA Spokane credits Judge Hayes with setting a Washington precedent by holding a respondent in a Domestic Violence Protection Order in contempt of court and ordering a 30-day jail sanction for failing to surrender firearms. Regional reporting has documented Spokane’s expanded firearm-surrender enforcement efforts, including the Inlander’s coverage of the record number of firearms taken in 2022. This approach was also profiled by the Spokesman-Review in “Order in Her Court,” highlighting her balanced judicial philosophy and dedication to community safety.

Debra also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Pre-Law Studies from Eastern Washington University and an Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies from Spokane Falls Community College.

At The Hornbuckle Firm, Debra focuses on civil-rights and personal-injury litigation and assists victims in seeking and enforcing protection orders, including representing them in court hearings. She also provides strategic guidance on litigation, judicial procedure, and trial preparation while mentoring younger attorneys. Her broad experience, integrity, and commitment to fairness continue to shape her work and the firm’s mission of client advocacy and justice.