When “Solely” Means Solely: Why the Pearson Decision Matters for Private Student Loan Dischargeability

Jenny L. Doling is the founding shareholder of J. DOLING LAW, PC, a bankruptcy, tax and insolvency law firm representing clients throughout California. She is a California State Bar Certified Bankruptcy Specialist. Ms. Doling represents creditors, trustees, and consumer and business debtors in chapter 7, 11, 12, and 13 bankruptcy cases and appeals. She earned her Taxation LL.M. from the University of San Diego School of Law. Ms. Doling was recently appointed by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. to serve a second 3-year term on the National Judicial Conference Bankruptcy Rules Committee.

Ms. Doling is an active member of the bankruptcy bar. She is the 2025-2028 Vice-President and member of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA). She is the immediate Past-President of the San Diego Bankruptcy Forum, and a Past-President of the Inland Empire Bankruptcy Forum. Further, Ms. Doling is a frequent speaker on bankruptcy and tax controversy topics for NACBA, the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges (NCBJ), National Association of Chapter Thirteen Trustees (NACTT), the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI), and the California Bankruptcy Forum (CBF). In addition, Ms. Doling has been the Professor of Bankruptcy law at the California Desert Trial Academy (CDTA) since 2015. She also serves on the Central District of California Bar Advisory Committee. Ms. Doling is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in California and Nevada. In addition, she is admitted to the U.S. Tax Court where she handles tax matters across the United States. She is also admitted to practice before the United States Ninth and Tenth Circuit Courts of Appeals. She received her Juris Doctorate from California Western School of Law in San Diego. Ms. Doling was on the Dean’s Honor List and was also the recipient of the Dean’s Merit Scholarship. She received an Academic Achievement Award in Bankruptcy and was also honored with an Award for Excellence from the American Bankruptcy Law Journal. Ms. Doling received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. She was a member of the Desert Defenders Conflict Panel for Riverside County representing indigent clients in Misdemeanor cases under the Conflict Panel for nearly 10 years.