Former Chief Immigration Judge Brian M. O’Leary Wraps Up Distinguished Three-Decade Career in Public Service

Judge Brian M. O’Leary will be retiring from the U.S. Immigration Court in Arlington, Virginia at the end of this year, thus closing out an exceptional three-decades of public service in the field of immigration.

Judge O’Leary served as the Chief Judge of the United States Immigration Court from 2009 until 2015.  After stepping down as the Chief Immigration Judge, he worked temporarily as an Appellate Immigration Judge (“Temporary Board Member”) at the Board of Immigration Appeals, in Falls Church, Virginia, the Appellate Branch of the U.S. Immigration Court.  Judge O’Leary returned to the U.S. Immigration Court in Arlington in July 2016.  He previously sat at the  Arlington Court from 2007 until his appointment as Chief Judge in 2009.

Judge O’Leary graduated from the Georgetown School of Foreign Service and the New England School of Law.  He joined the U.S. Department of Justice under the Attorney General’s Honors Program as a Trial Attorney in the Miami Office of the Legacy INS (during my tenure as the INS Deputy General Counsel).  He also served as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Florida and the Eastern District of Virginia and was rapidly promoted to the Office of General Counsel  at INS Headquarters.  There, he served as an Assistant General Counsel, Deputy Associate General Counsel, and Associate General Counsel before his appointment as an Immigration Judge with the Executive Office for Immigration Review.

Judge O’Leary held executive positions as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge and a Deputy Chief Immigration Judge, as well doing a previous stint as a Temporary Board Member.  He was Chief Immigration Judge during a most challenging period in the history of the Immigration Court.  At all times, Judge O’Leary had an unwavering commitment to the due process vision of the Immigration Court, to the individuals coming before the Immigration Court, and to the Immigration Judges and support staff who worked for the Court.

At the Arlington Court, Judge O’Leary was known for his fairness, scholarly opinions, hard work, organization, and unfailing courtesy too all who entered his courtroom.  Behind the scenes, “Mickey,” as he was sometimes known to his colleagues, demonstrated collegiality, a subtle sense of humor, and consistent kindness to the Court staff.  Can’t ask for a better judicial legacy.

On a personal note, I appreciate all of the friendship, camaraderie, good humor, and support that Judge O’Leary gave me over his long career. I congratulate him on his contributions to the American justice system and his retirement.  I hope that he will have more opportunities to watch his beloved Red Sox in person at Fenway this summer.

Best  wishes, always, to a great Judge and a wonderful colleague.

PWS

12/28/16