August 21, 2025

A Message from Debbie Leathers

Dear Southwestern Alumni and Friends – I have worked at Southwestern for more than 44 incredible years, and it is now time for me to move on to my next chapter, beginning on August 25th. Southwestern is such a special place, and I have always felt incredibly privileged to be a part of our mission. I truly value all of the special relationships I have made with so many of you. You have taught me so much about the law. Watching all of you represent Southwestern so wonderfully, both as students and as members of the legal profession in all of its forms, is deeply meaningful to me.

I have so many memories from the different decades I have been here—from the Blues Brothers playing on campus where our Student Residences are now located, to celebrating one of the school’s anniversaries with a live bison in the parking lot that is now the Student Commons; to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's visits; to the purchase of the BW building; to the development of our new Online program; and, most recently, to the Alumni Association naming its Alumni Association Scholarship Fund in my honor—how lucky can I be? I will cherish these memories and all of you forever!

My next chapter will be in Arvada, Colorado, where our son Phil Leathers ’15 lives. If you ever find yourself in the Denver area, please reach out! I would love to see you! My email continues to be dleathers@swlaw.edu and I would love to hear from you. And I know so many of you have heard me say this over the years: I hope you will pay it forward—our students need all of our support, and staying engaged with the Alumni Association, connecting with our students, and financially supporting Southwestern are so important. I hope you will consider making a donation today to help our students!

Thank you again for making Southwestern such a special place. I will miss all of you greatly!

Deb