Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Matthew Rowan, who has extensive experience in civil law, will face off in the November election against challenger Johan Pietila, a former prosecutor who boasts some civil litigation experience of his own.

Both candidates for the Position 11 judicial post highlighted experience that show them as well-rounded in interviews with the Times.

Judge Matthew Rowan’s legal career — which included a stint as Lithia Motors corporate counsel — is more focused on civil, contract and real estate law. Yet Rowan also brings to the bench experience in criminal law as a public defender in the late 2010s and in the private practice he closed down earlier this year prior to his appointment to the bench by Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek in August.

Pietila is a former deputy district attorney but for the past four years he has worked as senior assistant county counsel representing Jackson County and its various departments in civil litigation. In the interview with the Times, he called the position he started in April 2020 a “great opportunity to get a lot of different types of experience.” He described experience with federal law, such as helping the county navigate rulings in the Blake vs. City of Grants Pass Supreme Court ruling on homeless camping, along with other changes in employment law and drafting contracts.

Rowan was a partner in the law firm Collins Rowan, a practice he shared with legal partner Sara Collins before she was appointed to the bench in 2023, which he described as having a caseload that was roughly half criminal clients.

“I’m all-in on being a judge,” Rowan said.

Rowan and Pietila were asked the same questions in interviews held Oct. 3.

The bulk of Rowan’s 13 years of legal experience includes civil litigation, business law and real estate law and contract law. Rowan said that his “extensive knowledge” of civil law helps Jackson County Circuit Court following the retirement of Judge Timothy Gerking.

“I believe I bring needed experience to the bench,” Rowan said.

Rowan in particular highlighted his experience as corporate counsel for Lithia Motors in the latter half of the 2010s. That gave him extensive experience drafting civil contracts and overseeing multimillion dollar mergers and acquisitions across the country. One deal he worked on was worth $5 billion.

“It really honed my skills,” Rowan said.

About half of the circuit court bench covers civil cases, and the need was something the local bar expressed to Kotek when she tapped Rowan for the position, according to Rowan.

Pietila, who lost a bid challenging Judge David Orr in the May primary earlier this year, told the Times that he also applied for the appointment. Pietila acknowledged a “tough fight” challenging Rowan for the judge’s seat — noting in part that incumbents typically have more favorable odds — but this has been a goal of his for the past roughly seven years.

He described experience making and explaining decisions in the public eye that he believes will translate well into the position.

“I’m not ready to give up on this,” Pietila said.

Pietila said one thing he noticed talking to voters as he knocked on doors was that many people who had opinions about circuit court “felt that they maybe hadn’t been heard or didn’t know why things had gone a certain way.”

He described a desire to approach the bench with a “respectful, empathetic and consistent personality” and said he wants to have a reputation among local lawyers as someone who listens to all parties. He believes that trust with lawyers and their clients will help speed negotiations and move cases along quicker on the docket.

“If we can help open the dockets, the resources will go farther,” Pietila said.

Rowan, who was appointed to the bench Aug. 14, highlighted how he already helped streamline efficiency by handling his first full civil trial in September. Rowan said the new Position 11 judge’s slot, created with the passage of Senate Bill 1541 earlier this year, already made it possible for the court to handle two civil cases and a termination of parental rights case at the same time.

Rowan also highlighted further experience on the bench for his work for the past three years as a Pro Tem judge.

Both candidates have ties to the Rogue Valley that go back decades.

Rowan grew up in Medford and graduated from South Medford High School as a valedictorian in 2001. He graduated undergrad from the University of Oregon’s Clark’s Honors College and from the University of Oregon School of Law before starting at Medford law firm Foster Denman, LLP.

Pietila was born in Grants Pass and grew up in the Portland metro area before graduating from Grant High School in Portland, Portland State University with a bachelor’s in English and from Willamette University College of Law before starting at the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.

For more information on Rowan’s campaign, see rowanfordudge.com. For more information about Pietila and his campaign, see pietilaforjudge.org.