The People’s Choice and Your Voice in the Courtroom.
Nishá Dotson is an Assistant Public Defender in the Felony Trial Division of the Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender where she litigates major criminal felony cases. As an Assistant Public Defender, she works to ensure all Cook County residents have equal access to justice, regardless of their background or income. Over the course of her career she has tried more than 100 bench and jury trials to verdict.
Originally from Houston, Nishá received her Bachelor of Arts from Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans. She earned her Juris Doctor from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland, Ohio, where she received multiple honors, including Dean’s Honor List recognition, the Martin Luther King Jr. Award, the Leadership Award, the CALI Excellence for the Future Award, and the Paul J. Hergenröeder Award for Trial Tactics.
After law school, Nishá began her legal career in Chicago, Illinois, in private practice, where she managed her own law firm and represented clients in areas including family law, employment law, criminal law, personal injury, and wills and trusts.
With nearly 15 years of legal experience, Nishá has dedicated 12 of those years to advocating for those who need it most. Throughout her career, she has been a voice for the voiceless, fighting to ensure that every individual, regardless of background or circumstance, receives fair representation in our legal system. She takes immense pride in her role as a public servant, knowing that her work directly impacts the lives of those who often feel overlooked or unheard.
As Nishá runs for judge, she is committed to bringing the same dedication, integrity, and empathy to the bench, ensuring that justice is administered fairly and with compassion for all.
Nishá has received a rating of ‘Qualified,’ ‘Highly Qualified,’ ‘Recommended,’ or ‘Highly Recommended’ from each of the following Bar Associations, which evaluate judicial candidates:
EQUALITY
FAIRNESS