Salem, OR — Today, Governor Tina Kotek announced that she will appoint Christine K. Herbert and Matthew A. Rowan to the Jackson County Circuit Court. Herbert fills position 5, the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Timothy Gerking. Rowan fills position 11, newly created by Senate Bill 1541. Both appointments are effective immediately.

Herbert (she/her) ran successfully for position 5 in the May 2024 primary. She has extensive criminal law experience in private practice as administrator and member of Rogue Valley Defenders LLC. She is a current board member of Rogue Retreat.

A photograph of Herbert can be found here.

Rowan (he/him) has deep family ties to Southern Oregon, graduating from South Medford High School in 2001. Between attending the University of Oregon for undergraduate and law school, he taught English as a Second Language in Washington Heights, New York City. He returned to Jackson County in 2010, where he has practiced civil and criminal litigation for thirteen years as an attorney and almost three years as a volunteer pro tem judge.

A photograph of Rowan is available here.