Laura Rowan
Candidate for:
Multnomah County Circuit Court - Position 2
What drives me to seek an elected position
I am running for this position because I am deeply invested in my community and committed to public service. I’m from the area, I attended law school in Portland, and I have dedicated my legal career to serving Multnomah County and Oregon. I work and reside in Portland, and my children attend Portland Public Schools.
Through my career, I have learned the value in building relationships across lines to achieve better outcomes. As Multnomah County’s first Mental Health Deputy District Attorney, I collaborated with partners and providers to develop strategic responses to the county’s mental health crisis. As a former prosecutor of domestic violence, human trafficking and violent crime, I am aware of the cycles of violence and trauma that impact many people affected by our judicial system. As an experienced trial attorney, I am versed in the rules of evidence and courtroom procedure.
As an attorney, mom and youth soccer coach, I know the importance of staying calm in the face of conflict and how to be fair even when the outcome may disappoint someone. I hope to restore trust in the justice system by promoting efficiency, timeliness and transparency.
The first three priorities or issues I want to tackle
My first priority will be improving access to justice for all individuals, regardless of background or resources. This includes ensuring that court processes are navigable and courtroom procedures are understandable and transparent for all litigants, not just attorneys.
Second, I will focus on efficiently managing the court’s docket to reduce delays and ensure cases are heard promptly. I will take a proactive approach by working with parties to identify opportunities for early resolution or settlement where appropriate, helping to conserve both time and resources.
Finally, I will ensure that every person who appears in court is treated with dignity and respect. The courtroom must be a place where all people feel heard, valued and treated fairly, regardless of their position in a case.
The experiences and insights I will bring to the office
Spending most of my career practicing in Multnomah County, handling countless criminal cases and working in specialty courts has prepared me to take the bench on day one. My cross-over endorsements demonstrate my consistent professionalism, ethical standards and respect for all parties.
As Multnomah County’s Mental Health Deputy District Attorney and in my current work handling Psychiatric Security Review Board (PSRB) cases, I am uniquely familiar with the need for mental health services, substance abuse treatment and housing for people involved in the criminal justice system. I’m well versed in aid and assist proceedings, civil commitment hearings, mental health court and guilty except for insanity (GEI) resolutions, in addition to standard criminal law practice. I know from direct experience that these cases are complex and require a deliberate, thoughtful and individualized approach.
I have been to homicide scenes, autopsies and met with victims of domestic violence and human trafficking in their homes, shopping malls and hotel rooms. I understand the cycles of trauma and violence that underly cases before they ever come to court. These experiences will inform how I compassionately manage difficult cases, while ensuring all parties feel heard.
What being a Democrat in Multnomah County means to me
The Oregon Code of Judicial Conduct requires candidates to remain independent from partisan interests, avoid any appearance that others can influence a judge’s decisions and act consistently with the impartial performance of judicial duties. Judges are not advocates; their responsibility is to apply the law impartially, regardless of personal opinions or beliefs.
My values are reflected in a career dedicated to public service. I have demonstrated a strong commitment to fairness, professionalism, integrity and respect for the rule of law.
Community engagement is also an important part of my life. As a full-time working mom to two elementary school–aged daughters, I volunteer as a youth soccer coach, helping young players build confidence and teamwork. As a Portland Public Schools parent, I regularly participate in school activities and support fundraising efforts that strengthen classrooms district-wide. I am also active in a neighborhood group that fosters connection and mutual support among parents.
I contribute to organizations that reflect my values of increasing access to justice, including St. Andrew Legal Clinic, the Campaign for Equal Justice, the Oregon Crime Victims Law Center and Project 48, which provides essentials to children entering foster care.