Biography

Judge Dollinger was elected to the Family Court bench of the Second Judicial District Court in November 2020. She presides in Child Welfare, Termination of Parental Rights, and Adoption cases in Washoe County. In addition, she conducts a specialized Safe Babies Court Docket that serves children ages Zero to Three and their families.

Judge Dollinger is a native Nevadan and was adopted through Nevada’s foster care system. She was born in Carson City and raised in Reno. She graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1997 and received her law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2001.

Judge Dollinger previously served as an appointed judicial officer presiding over Washoe County’s juvenile delinquency cases at the Jan Evans Juvenile Justice Center. In addition, she worked for several years as a Deputy Public Defender representing indigent clients in Washoe County in felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, a variety of specialty courts, and in child welfare cases. Judge Dollinger started her career as a Deputy District Attorney working in child welfare cases, criminal protection order violations, and drug forfeiture cases.

Supporting people in our community is a priority for Judge Dollinger. She previously volunteered as a Big Sister to a youth in the foster care system through the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Program of Northern Nevada. She regularly volunteers to judge local high school Mock Trial competitions, and is a past President of the Washoe County Public Attorney’s Association.

Over her combined 20 years as a prosecutor, defense attorney, and judicial officer, Judge Dollinger developed a strong interest in and sympathy for children affected by the court system. Judge Dollinger brings her compassion, extensive experience on both sides of the aisle, and her passion for juvenile justice and child welfare to the bench. Every day she strives to preside with empathy, patience, fairness and understanding.

Outside of court Judge Dollinger is an avid college basketball fan (Go Pack!), and enjoys playing the piano, curating playlists on Spotify, reading and learning about and traveling to far off destinations.