50 Women to Watch: Lindsey Dollman

Lindsey Dollman, Senior Associate General Counsel, Pechanga Band of Indians

Lindsey serves as Senior Associate General Counsel for the Pechanga Band of Indians, a sovereign, federally-recognized Indian tribe with a dynamic Tribal Government and diverse business operations. Lindsey is an enrolled tribal member at Pechanga, and has dedicated her legal career to advancing the interests of Pechanga and Indian Country as a whole, providing legal counsel across multiple sectors.

In her role, Lindsey provides legal advice and counsel to Pechanga’s Tribal Government, regulatory gaming commission, and business enterprises. Her practice includes advocating for the Tribe and its businesses through contract negotiations, navigating regulatory matters related to the Tribe’s gaming operation to ensure compliance with federal law and the Tribe’s tribal-state gaming compact, and drafting and advising on legal matters concerning tribal law and governance. A key aspect of her work is leading Pechanga’s fee-to-trust land acquisitions, a critical initiative that restores ancestral lands to tribal ownership and governance, thereby enhancing Pechanga’s sovereignty, promoting tribal self-determination, and creating new avenues for economic development.

Prior to joining Pechanga’s legal team, Lindsey built a strong foundation in labor and employment law as an Associate at Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton, an international law firm.

Lindsey attended UCLA School of Law, where she completed a concurrent joint degree program, earning her J.D. and an M.A. in American Indian Studies. She also holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Lindsey resides on the Pechanga Indian Reservation in Southern California, with her husband and their three young children. She remains deeply committed to her Tribe and tribal community and is grateful for the unwavering support of her family, which has been instrumental in her professional achievements.

CCBJ asked each of our candidates to pass it forward with a few words of wisdom for the next generation.

What advice would you offer your younger self?

Always be willing to learn, adapt, and push beyond your comfort zone. Some of the most meaningful growth happens in times of discomfort and uncertainty.

Please describe your proudest individual or team achievement.

Serving my Tribe is by far the most rewarding professional experience of my life. I have the opportunity to serve the Tribe as their attorney and I also get the benefit of seeing the positive impact my legal work has on the ground within the tribal community. My proudest personal achievements are my three children, ages 6, 4, and 3. I love these kiddos beyond measure and strive to be a good role model for them every day.

Where would you see the legal profession in 10+ years?

In the practice of federal Indian law, there continues to be legal developments that alter the manner in which tribes and their businesses operate and interact with the federal and state governments. Long-standing principles of federal Indian law, including fundamental questions about the governmental and political status of tribes, are being subjected to renewed scrutiny and judicial re-interpretation. I have no doubt that the legal landscape for tribes and their business enterprises will continue to change over the next 10 years through both statutory and judicial means.

What are your favorite books, professional sports, entertainment and/or extracurricular activities?

My favorite extracurricular activity is definitely traveling. I’m always up for an adventure, even if it means navigating long flights with my three little ones (who aren’t always thrilled about it), dealing with the occasional lost luggage, and powering through jet lag. Despite the challenges, the memories we make as a family are worth every bit of the chaos.

Please include a quote that inspires you.

“All is well. This is the way of us Indians, those of us who are going along speaking, lying awake, being vigilant to pray for that which lies ahead of us, so that our future might be bright, so that we might know the right way to go.”
- Villiana Calac Hyde, Yumáyk Yumáyk Long Ago

Click here to view our 2024 list of 50 Women to Watch.