Salem, OR—Governor Kate Brown announced today that she will appoint judges to the Jackson and Klamath County Circuit Courts. Governor Brown will appoint Jeremy Markiewicz to the Jackson County Circuit Court to fill the vacancy created by Judge Lorenzo Mejia’s planned retirement, and will appoint Stephen Hedlund to the Klamath County Circuit Court to fill the vacancy created by the planned retirement of Judge Daniel Bunch. Both appointments are effective on December 31, 2022.

“Jeremy Markiewicz and Stephen Hedlund are talented lawyers, and are ready to make significant contributions to the trial court bench,” said Governor Brown. “Both will bring a passion for justice, devotion to their communities, and empathy for the litigants that will appear before them.”

Jeremy Markiewicz earned a bachelor’s degree from Willamette University, the first in his family to graduate college. He went on to earn his law degree from University of Colorado School of Law. After graduation, he moved to Southern Oregon, where he has devoted his entire legal career to public service with the Jackson County District Attorney’s office, first as a deputy district attorney and, since 2013, as the Chief Deputy District Attorney. Markiewicz serves on the board of the Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon, the Southern Oregon Financial Fraud and Securities Team, and is a member of the Rotary Club of Medford. He also is active with the Southern Oregon Campaign for Equal Justice and the Classroom Law Project.

Stephen Hedlund graduated from Klamath Union High School and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University, and his law degree from Willamette College of Law. Upon graduation, he moved back home to Klamath Falls and began his legal career with the Klamath County District Attorney’s office. He then transitioned into private practice, with a focus on indigent defense work, including criminal and juvenile dependency matters. He also provides legal representation for public entities and public officials. Hedlund serves as the defense attorney in Klamath County’s behavior intervention court and veterans treatment courts, and as a member of the Local Public Safety Coordinating Council. Since 2016, Hedlund has served as a pro tem judge for the City of Klamath Falls Municipal Court. He also serves as an arbitrator for the Oregon State Bar Fee Dispute Resolution Program.