The Honorable Immigration Judge Jan M. Merendino was appointed as an immigration judge to begin hearing cases in August 2026. Judge Merendino earned a Bachelor of Science in 1995 from the University of Houston-Clear Lake and a Doctor of Jurisprudence, summa cum laude, in 2002 from South Texas College of Law. From August 2025 to August 2026, Judge Merendino served as state district judge of the 75th Judicial District Court of Texas. From November 2002 to August 2025, Judge Merendino served as lead litigation and appellate counsel in private practice. Before that, Judge Merendino was a Langdell Scholar and law review editorial board member at South Texas College of Law, a summer tax associate at Gardere, Wynn, Sewell LLP, and, from October 1997 to August 2000, a tax manager at Clear Channel Communications, SFX Entertainment, and PACE Entertainment. Judge Merendino is a member of the State Bar of Texas.