By the Office of Communication, Education & Outreach
This is the fifty-third Court Times article highlighting a member of the Indiana Judiciary.
Kimberly Dowling is the Judge in Delaware Circuit Court #2. She graduated from the University of Denver in 1981 and received her law degree from the University of Colorado in 1984. Following her graduation from law school, and her husband’s completion of graduate school, they moved to Muncie, Indiana. She began her law practice, while her husband took a job at Ball State University.
Their children attended Muncie Burris High School. Now grown, a daughter lives in Colorado where she recruits traveling nurses. Their son and his family (including a grandchild!) live in Brownsburg.
After practicing with two small law firms, and then as a sole practitioner focusing on family law, Dowling was elected to the bench in 2012. She’s since served as a member of the Judicial Education Committee and the Coalition for Court Access, as chair of the Best Practices Subcommittee, and she is chair of the subcommittee addressing Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children for the Commission on Improving the Status of Children.
What was your childhood like?
I was born in Decatur, Illinois. We moved every year from the time I was four years old until I was in middle school. Most people ask if my dad was in the military, but he was not. He was in retail, and between transfers within companies and changing companies, we were taken to several states and cities. As a result, I never went to the same school two years in a row until I was in high school. That meant learning to make new friends every year and being resilient!
What prompted you to study law?
In middle school, we studied the Constitution. I went home and told my parents that I wanted to be a lawyer—that was that. I really enjoyed all my speech classes in high school and college and was on the debate teams at both levels. Public speaking was something that I was drawn to and loved. I majored in speech communications at the University of Denver and double majored in education in case I didn’t like law school. I continued my studies at the University of Colorado School of Law. I’ve always loved advocacy, and I’m a very competitive person. When I started practicing law, we had just moved to Muncie, so I learned to do a little of everything since it is a fairly small town. I settled into family law and that was the focus of my practice before I was elected.
What is the most challenging and most rewarding aspect of being a judge?
The most challenging aspect is dealing with administrative issues like hiring, firing, and filing reports. The most rewarding part is two-fold. First, being able to help people work through their legal issues, which is also something I liked about being a lawyer. The second, and probably most fulfilling for me, is being able to work on statewide issues like human trafficking. I would have never had the opportunity, time, or connections to allow me to work on such an important issue when I was practicing law.
What profession would you choose outside of law?
I have to say that we have the best job in the whole world, and I truly mean that. But if I couldn’t be a judge, I might be an event coordinator. I love to organize and plan events. (Editor’s note: She’d be great! Judge Dowling was instrumental in planning when the Supreme Court came to Muncie for oral argument on the road.)
Do you have any hobbies or favorite leisure activities?
I love to travel and read. We’ve been on multiple cruises. We went on an amazing trip to Ireland last year. We also make an annual trip to St. Louis to attend Cardinals’ baseball games. Our favorite destination is Turks and Caicos. We found a lovely home to rent right on the beach. The owners are a wonderful couple originally from Texas, and it is our happy spot.
Who are the people you most admire and why?
I admire the many women who came before me in the legal profession, as they fought for our right to be attorneys and judges. I particularly admire US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She is an amazing woman, and I truly respect her for all that she has done and continues to do.
Do you have a favorite saying or quote?
Gandhi’s, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” When I was elected, I looked for a quotation that I could put on my bench, to remind me of how I want to make a difference and help people. I taped it to my bench, and I look at it on my most frustrating days.
Name one or more books that would make your recommended reading list.
I love to read James Patterson; he’s my favorite author. His books are fun, fast reads, and I enjoy his style.
I also recommend Educated by Tara Westover and Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. I read both books as part of my book club, which is made up of fellow female juvenile judges (Shout out to my girls!) Educated is an inspiring, true story and was this author’s first book. She writes about not being formally educated until she goes to college. There are many layers about mental health, education, and issues any juvenile judge would find fascinating.
Do you have a favorite restaurant?
Our favorite restaurant is in Turks and is called Coco Bistro. It is an outdoor restaurant with palm trees that have grown into a canopy and the food is wonderful. The owner is originally from Indiana!
What are you most looking forward to in the next 10 years?
I look forward to continuing my career on the bench, as I love my job. I also look forward to spending time with our new grandson, teaching him things, and taking him to see new and wonderful places!