Justice Biographies

Judicial Biography

Judge Sheila R. Kolar began her term for Billings Municipal Court in January of 2011. Born in Montana, she received her Bachelors of Art and Political Science at Carroll College and earned her Juris Doctorate from the Thomas M. Cooley School of Law in Lansing, Michigan.

The past 16 years, Judge Kolar served as a Deputy County Attorney for the Yellowstone County Attorney's Office in the Thirteenth Judicial District. She subsequently worked as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for five years prior to being appointed as the Municipal Court Judge.

During her time as a Deputy County Attorney, Judge Kolar was a senior attorney prosecuting violent crimes including homicides, aggravated assaults, and sexual assaults. In addition to her time at the County Attorney's Office, she was the lead attorney for the drug offense docket. As a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, she prosecuted drug offenses in Federal Court. She assisted with the implementation of the first Felony Adult Drug Court for Yellowstone County and was part of the Adult Felony Drug Court team. She now presides over the Treatment Courts for Billings Municipal Court.

Judge Kolar has had a smooth transition to the bench. She has successfully managed the high-volume caseload with ease and continues to work for more efficiency with regards to the public experience.