Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes at the BIA

We’ve got folks coming and going at the BIA. Here’s a listing with their EOIR bios.

First, the newbies. On February 25, the EOIR announced three new Board Members appointed by AG Loretta E. Lynch. They’re all government insiders: Two previously served as legal advisers to the BIA and one woreked as an OIL attorney.

Molly Kendall Clark. Board Member Kendall Clark received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1974 from Colorado College and a Juris Doctor in 1978 from Suffolk University. From 1995 to 2016, she has served as a senior legal advisor to the chairman, Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). From 1983 to 1991, and previously from 1978 to 1981, she was an attorney advisor for the BIA. From 1981 to 1982, Board Member Kendall Clark worked in the General Counsel’s Office of the former Immigration and Naturalization Service. Board Member Kendall Clark is a member of the District of Columbia Bar.

Ellen Liebowitz, Board Member Liebowitz received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1987 from the University of Delaware and a Juris Doctor in 1990 from the University of Maryland. From 2008 to January 2016, Board Member Liebowitz served as a senior legal advisor to the chairman, Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). From 2007 to 2008, she was a senior counsel to the chairman, BIA, and from 1991 to 2007, as an attorney advisor for the BIA. Prior to joining the board, she clerked for the Circuit Court for Harford County, Maryland. Board Member Liebowitz is a member of the Maryland Bar.

Blair T. O’Connor. Board Member O’Connor received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1992 from the University of Notre Dame and a Juris Doctor in 1995 from the Valparaiso University School of Law. From 2002 to 2016, he served as an assistant director, senior litigation counsel, and trial attorney at the Office of Immigration Litigation, Civil Division, Department of Justice. From 1996 to 2002, he served on active duty in various capacities in the Army’s Judge Advocate General Corps including as legal assistance and claims attorney, prosecutor, appellate defense attorney, and as a law clerk to the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals. Board Member O’Connor is a member of the Illinois Bar.

And now, for the retirements. Two Board members will be leaving on March 31. Both were appointed by AG Janet Reno.

David B. Holmes. Attorney General Janet Reno appointed David B. Holmes in June 1995. Mr. Holmes received a bachelor of arts degree in 1970 from Middlebury College and a juris doctorate in 1973 from the National Law Center, George Washington University. From 2003 to 2005, he served as acting Vice Chairman. From 1977 to 1981, Mr. Holmes worked as an attorney advisor, and from 1981 to 1995, he served as the BIA’s chief attorney examiner. From 1974 to 1977, he served on active duty as a captain in the U.S. Army. Mr. Holmes is a member of the District of Columbia and Commonwealth of Virginia Bars.

Neil P. Miller. Attorney General Janet Reno appointed Neil P. Miller in July 1999. Mr. Miller received a bachelor of arts degree in 1967 and a juris doctorate in 1974, both from the University of Arizona. From 1995 to 1999, he served as the chief attorney examiner for the BIA. From 1987 to 1995, he served as a deputy chief attorney examiner with the BIA. From 1980 to 1987, Mr. Miller worked for the BIA as an attorney advisor. Mr. Miller was in private practice in Tucson, Arizona, and worked with the Foreign Operations Section of the Passport Office, Department of State. Mr. Miller is a member of the State Bar of Arizona.

-KitJ