The Honorable Immigration Judge J Ed Christiansen was appointed as an immigration judge to begin hearing cases in July 2026. Judge Christiansen earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1989 from the University of Utah and a Juris Doctor in 1992 from the University of Idaho College of Law. From April 2024 to July 2026, he served as chief of client services at Fort Riley, Kansas. From April 2016 to April 2024, he served as chief of legal assistance at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and as a special assistant U.S. attorney for the District of Utah. From August 2012 to April 2016, he was an attorney and partner with Day Shell & Liljenquist LC in Murray, Utah. From July 2008 to August 2012, he served as staff judge advocate at Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, California, and as a special assistant U.S. attorney for the Central District of California. From July 2007 to June 2008, he served as senior defense counsel at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. From July 2006 to June 2007, he served as commanding officer of Tenant Activities Company at Marine Corps Base Quantico. From August 2003 to June 2006, he served as an appellate defense counsel at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. From January to September 2005, he deployed to Iraq, where he served as officer in charge of the Central Criminal Court of Iraq Liaison Office at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. From July 2000 to August 2003, he served as deputy branch head for legal assistance policy at Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C. From July 1994 to July 2000, he served in various positions as a judge advocate in the U.S. Marine Corps. Judge Christiansen is a member of the Idaho State Bar and Utah State Bar.