In preparation for an upcoming announcement of immigration judgeship openings, AABANY’s Judiciary and Immigration Committees are proud to present, with the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR), an information session on how to become an immigration judge. 

EOIR is looking for diverse candidates to serve as immigration judges, and no immigration law background is required to apply. In this 30-minute virtual information session, you will hear from two Assistant Chief Immigration Judges (biographies below) about how to prepare an application, what they are looking for, and why you might want to pursue a fulfilling career as an immigration judge. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the presentation. 

Judge Jennifer I. Peyton was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in January 2022. Judge Peyton earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1994 from Trinity College and a Juris Doctor in 1998 from the Case Western Reserve University School of Law. From 2016 to 2021, she served as an Immigration Judge at the Chicago Immigration Court. From 2003 to 2016, she was in private practice as managing partner of Jennifer I. Peyton, Attorney at Law LLC, in Cleveland. In 2013, she joined the faculty of the Cleveland State University Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, where she served as an adjunct clinical professor, and in 2006 she joined the faculty of the Case Western University School of Law, where she served as an adjunct professor. Judge Peyton is a member of the Ohio State Bar.

Judge Elizabeth L. Young was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in August 2021. Judge Young earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1999 from Hendrix College and a Juris Doctor in 2004 from The George Washington University School of Law. From 2016 to July 2021, she served as an Immigration Judge at the San Francisco Immigration Court. From 2011 to 2016, she served as an Associate Professor of Law, and previously from 2008 to 2011, as an Assistant Professor of Law, for the University of Arkansas School of Law. From 2007 to 2008, she served as a Visiting Professor at The George Washington University School of Law. From 2004 to 2007, she served as an Attorney Advisor at the San Francisco Immigration Court. Judge Young is a member of the Arkansas Bar, State Bar of California, and Virginia State Bar.