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Jennifer Peyton

Biography

As a Partner with Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, Jennifer I. Peyton brings extensive legal experience and a distinguished career in both private practice and judicial service to our office. Appointed by U.S. Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch, Ms. Peyton began hearing cases as an Immigration Judge in September 2016, following a long and accomplished tenure in private practice and legal education. From 2021 to present Judge Peyton was appointed as the Assistant Chief Immigration Judge for the Chicago Immigration Court, and acting Assistant Chief Immigration Judge for the Indianapolis Immigration Court. She continued to hear cases and oversee the immigration judges in her district until July 2025.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity College in 1994 and her Juris Doctor from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 1998. From 2003 to 2016, she practiced law in Cleveland—first as Managing Partner of her own firm, Jennifer I. Peyton, Attorney at Law LLC, and later as a Partner at Brown LLC.

In addition to her legal practice and as a judge, Ms. Peyton has contributed significantly to legal education. She served as an adjunct professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Law beginning in 2006, and in 2013, she joined the faculty at Cleveland State University Cleveland-Marshall College of Law as an adjunct clinical professor. During her judicial tenure, she also trained immigration judges, worked on the pro bono steering committee and the law school working group.

Ms. Peyton is presently an adjunct professor at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, College of Law.

Ms. Peyton is a member of the Ohio State Bar and is committed to bringing a depth of knowledge, integrity, and professionalism to her practice. She continues to fight for due process and justice for all.

Jennifer speaks Spanish with near native fluency, and conversational Russian.

Speaking Engagements

  • LERS Advanced Immigration Judge Training, 2024
  • EOIR Re-Branding Town Hall, May 2023
  • EOIR Legal Training Program
    • Moderator and Presenter, Discretionary Considerations in Removal Proceedings,  June 2023
    • Courtroom Dynamics, Moderator, Indigenous Peoples and the Immigration Process, January 2024
  • LERS New Immigration Judge Training, 2022 to 2024
  • EOIR OCIJ How to Become an Immigration Judge, prepared and presented at 11/22 sessions, 2023
  • EOIR OCIJ Chicago Immigration Court – Model Hearing Program, presiding judge, 2022
  • DOJ: Diversity and Inclusion Dialogue Program, participant, 2024
  • Leading and Developing High-Performing Attorneys and Teams, May 2023
  • 2026 AILA Annual Conference on Immigration Law: Ethically Practicing Family-Based Immigration in a Hostile Policy Environment, Friday, June 19, 2026
  • Acacia Center for Justice: Gavel Drop – Witness for Justice Webinar, April 14, 2026
  • Federal Bar Association: Immigration Law Section. EOIR Courtroom Skills and Practice Tips, March 25, 2026
  • AILA Chicago Midwest Regional Conference: “Straight out of EOIR: dealing with a hostile court” Discussion Leader, March 6, 2026
  • AILA South Florida Chapter’s 47th Annual Immigration Law Conference February 19, 2026
  •  “We’re judging you”: What judges whisper when you leave the room: Discussion Leader
  • Cuyahoga Metropolitan Bar Association: CLE, December 9, 2025
  • AILA Chicago Litigation Topics: Hot Topics, November 14, 2025
  • Cleveland Marshall School of Law, Law Review Symposium, keynote speaker, October 24, 2025
  • Chicago Bar Association, The Era of Maximum Enforcement, 2025
  • Chicago AILA Chapter: Guest speaker at monthly meeting, September 2025
  • AILA National Conference, Time-Barred Motions to Reopen: Tips and Tricks for Success, 2015
  • Ohio State Bar Association, How to File an Asylum Claim for a Child in Proceedings? 2015
  • AILA Ohio Fall Conference, From the Southern Border to the Midwest: Navigating Paths to Asylum Protection, 2015
  • Cleveland Legal Aid Society and C Lyonel Jones Pro Bono Committee, Juveniles in Immigration Proceedings, 2013
  • AILA Mid-South/Ohio Fall CLE Conference, Removal Proceedings: Best Practices, Motions, Interpreters & Prosecutorial Discretion, 2013
  • Cleveland Legal Aid Society and C Lyonel Jones Pro Bono Committee, Model Hearing Program, 2009, 2010, 2012
  • Ohio Association of Magistrates, Beyond the Basics: Crossing the Border between Domestic and Immigration Matters, 2011

Bar Admissions

  • Supreme Court of Ohio
  • U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals: Sixth & Seventh Circuits
  • U.S. District Courts
    • Arizona District Court
    • Georgia Northern District Court
    • Illinois Northern District Court
    • Indiana Northern District Court
    • Indiana Southern District Court
    • Kentucky Eastern District Court
    • Kentucky Western District Court
    • Louisiana Western District Court
    • Michigan Western District Court
    • Missouri Eastern District Court
    • New Mexico District Court
    • Ohio Northern District Court
    • Ohio Southern District Court
    • Texas Northern District Court
    • Wisconsin Western District Court

Appointments

  • Adjunct Professor of Law at University of Illinois: Urbana-Champaign (current)
  • CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW, CLEVELAND, OH, Adjunct Professor (former)
  • CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY, CLEVELAND-MARSHALL COLLEGE OF LAW, CLEVELAND, OH, Adjunct Clinical Professor (former)

In the Media

Professional Associations

  • AILA American Immigration Lawyers Association
  • FBA Federal Bar Association
  • Chicago Bar Association

Awards

  • EOIR Director’s Award for contributions to Pro Bono Steering Committee – 2022
  • AILA Presidential Commendation for exemplary service to the President and to AILA – 2016
  • AILA Michael Maggio Memorial Pro Bono Award, Artesia Pro Bono Volunteers – 2015
  • Case Western Reserve University School of Law, Judge Markus Adjunct Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching – 2013
  • AILA Ohio Chapter, Pro Bono Champion – 2013
  • AILA Pro Bono Heroes (inaugural recipient for Northeast Region – 2013
  • Domestic Violence Center of Cleveland, Break the Silence Award – 2007
  • Cleveland Legal Aid Society, Volunteer Lawyers Program, Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award – 2006

Education

  • Active member, Ohio State Bar
  • Case Western Reserve University, School of Law, Cleveland, Ohio, Juris Doctorate
  • Trinity College, Hartford, CT
  • B.A. Russian Language and Literature

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