Elizabeth Lee Young

Professional Biography Elizabeth L. Young is a seasoned legal professional with over 20 years of experience spanning service in federal immigration courts, university law schools, and community organizations, establishing her as a recognized expert in immigration law practice, education, and policy development. Elizabeth’s leadership extends beyond the courtroom through her extensive professional service, mentorship of legal professionals, and commitment to the fair application of immigration law. Judicial Experience From January 2024 to January 2025, Elizabeth served as Regional Deputy Chief Immigration Judge, serving the Western Region of the United States. This position required selection by an independent governmental board as a member of the Senior Executive Service, a group of key leaders within the government that “possess well-honed executive skills and share a broad perspective on government and a public service commitment that is grounded in the Constitution.” In this position, Elizabeth supervised Assistant Chief Immigration Judges across the western United States while providing critical legal guidance and developing nationwide policy initiatives to enhance court operations. Prior to this executive role, Elizabeth served as Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in San Francisco from July 2021 to January 2024, supervising over 100 Immigration Court personnel including judges, attorney advisors, court administrators, and staff supervisors. In this capacity, she addressed comprehensive personnel matters while assessing court health and developing strategic plans for case management across regular and specialized dockets. Elizabeth’s judicial career began as an Immigration Judge in September 2016 where she maintained non-detained adult and juvenile dockets, conducting master and merits hearings while issuing both oral and written decisions. She served as backup for detained dockets and acted as a mentor for incoming and sitting Immigration Judges throughout her tenure. Elizabeth began her career as an Attorney Advisor at the San Francisco Court. This pivotal time in her career gave her valuable judicial system experience where she worked “behind the scenes” researching and drafting orders and bench memoranda as well as analyzing changes to immigration law. Academic Experience Prior to entering the judiciary, Elizabeth’s academic career spans nearly a decade of distinguished service in legal education, with particular expertise in immigration law and clinical instruction. At the University of Arkansas School of Law, she progressed from Assistant Professor of Law (2008-2011) to Associate Professor of Law (2011-2016), being awarded tenure in 2016. There, she founded the first Immigration Law Clinic in the University of Arkansas system. This groundbreaking initiative included developing course proposals, community partnerships, comprehensive syllabi, and original course materials while maintaining subject matter expertise in public immigration awareness. Her teaching responsibilities encompassed fully subscribed Immigration Law I seminars and skills-based coursework, while simultaneously supervising student attorneys in live client representation before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Executive Office for Immigration Review, and the Board of Immigration Appeals. Throughout her academic tenure, she maintained an independent caseload, ensuring her practical expertise remained current. Young also served as Visiting Professor of Clinical Law and Interim Director of the Immigration Clinic at The George Washington University Law School from 2007-2008, where she taught Immigration Clinic Seminars and supervised student attorneys in trial level cases before the Executive Office for Immigration Review as well as complex appellate matters reaching the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Education and Professional Development Elizabeth holds a Juris Doctor from The George Washington University Law School, having graduated with honors. She served as a member of The George Washington International Law Review, and subsequently the Executive Editor of The Guide to International Legal Research. While at GW, Elizabeth was introduced to immigration law through the Immigration Law Clinic, where she would eventually go on to receive the Richard C. Lewis, Jr. Memorial Award for Clinical Excellence. She further attended the International Human Rights Law Programme at Oxford University, providing her with global legal perspectives that would inform her later immigration law expertise. Elizabeth is a firm believer in continuous learning and professional development. Her academic career required continuous professional development in clinical legal education methodologies, curriculum development, and pedagogical approaches to experiential learning. She continued this trajectory as an Immigration Judge through mentorship of new Immigration Judges, Attorney Advisors, and conducting learning seminars for new judicial law clerks at the San Francisco Immigration Court. As one of approximately 40 Assistant Chief Immigration Judges, Elizabeth participated in nation-wide training for new attorneys, judges, and staff of the court. As Regional Deputy Chief Immigration Judge, she directed nationwide training programs for both new and experienced Immigration Judges, covering fundamental and advanced immigration law. Leadership and Management Elizabeth’s leadership capabilities are evident in her progression to a Senior Executive Service role within the federal judiciary. Her management portfolio included comprehensive human resources oversight, involving allocation and planning of human and fiscal resources while evaluating program effectiveness and ensuring compliance with Departmental fair employment initiatives on a national scale. Elizabeth demonstrated exceptional collaborative leadership by participating in and leading inter- and intra-agency working groups focused on developing national court policy and implementing regulatory, statutory, administrative, and litigation initiatives. During her tenure as Assistant Chief Immigration Judge, she served on specialized national committees addressing judge and attorney training, Immigration Court Practice Manual updates, judicial recruitment and hiring processes, and pro bono legal service practices. In academia, Elizabeth exhibited entrepreneurial leadership by founding Arkansas's first immigration law clinic, requiring strategic vision, community engagement, and institutional navigation. Her administrative service included leadership roles on faculty appointments committees and graduate legal studies committees, demonstrating her commitment to institutional governance and academic excellence. Professional Memberships and Community Involvement Elizabeth was admitted to the Virginia Bar in October 2004, joining the California and Arkansas Bars in 2009. Prior to joining the judiciary, Elizabeth maintained active engagement with professional organizations that advance legal education and immigration law practice. She served on the Central States Law Schools Association Board from 2009-2014 and held leadership positions within the Arkansas Bar Association International Law and Immigration Section, including Chair-Elect from 2011-2012. Her professional affiliations included membership in the American Bar Association, American Immigration Lawyers Association, and AALS Clinical Legal Education Association. Her community involvement reflects a deep commitment to literacy, education, and immigrant services. She served as a Board Member of the Ozark Literacy Council from 2011-2016 and participated in the One Book One Community Planning Committee at the University of Arkansas. She further serviced as Board Member from 2002-2012 with Catholic Charities Immigration Services as a Board Member from 2009-2012, and in an advisory role with the Hispanic Women's Organization of Arkansas from 2010-2016. More recently, Elizabeth has engaged in local educational leadership, serving on the Donlon Elementary School Site Council for Strategic Planning from 2020-2022. Awards and Recognition Young's exceptional contributions to law, education, and public service have earned her prestigious recognition throughout her career. She received the Executive Office for Immigration Review Director's Award in 2022, acknowledging her outstanding service within the federal immigration court system. The Arkansas Times recognized her as Visionary Arkansan of 2013, while the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal honored her with the Fast 15 Award in 2009. Her academic excellence was recognized early in her career with the Richard C. Lewis, Jr. Memorial Award for Clinical Excellence from The George Washington University Law School in 2004. Her commitment to public service was acknowledged during her undergraduate years with the Ferris C. Baker Sociology Award in public service from Hendrix College in 1999. Awards and Honors Honors US Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review Director's Award, 2023 Arkansas Times, Arkansas Visionary Award, 2013 Northwest Arkansas Business Journal, Fast 15 Award, 2009

• United States Department of Justice - Executive Office for Immigration Review, Regional Deputy Chief Immigration Judge, September, 2016 - January, 2025
• University of Arkansas School of Law, Associate Professor of Law, July, 2008 - September, 2016

• Immigration Law Clinic, 2007 - 2016

• Virginia, 2004
• California, 2005
• Arkansas, 2009