Professor Daniel Caudillo brings more than 17 years of immigration law experience and a deep commitment to teaching, mentorship, and service to his role as Director of the Jim and Leah Finley Immigration Law Clinic at Texas Tech University School of Law.

Most recently, Professor Caudillo served as a United States Immigration Judge for the Laredo Immigration Court, where he presided over a broad range of complex immigration matters. In this role, he also mentored and trained new judges, underscoring his dedication to legal education and professional development.

Board Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Professor Caudillo has represented individuals, families, and communities across all areas of immigration law. Licensed to practice in Texas, he has appeared before the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the Board of Immigration Appeals, the U.S. Federal District Court for the Western District of Texas, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He is also a member of the Texas Bar College and has held leadership roles in various professional organizations, including the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

In addition to his judicial and litigation experience, Professor Caudillo has extensive teaching credentials. He has presented continuing legal education programs nationwide and served as an adjunct professor at the University of New Mexico School of Law, where he taught advanced immigration law with a strong emphasis on hands-on, practical learning. He continues to mentor students and volunteers as a mock trial judge, helping them develop the skills, judgment, and empathy essential for effective client representation.

A dual graduate of Texas Tech, Professor Caudillo earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2003 and his Juris Doctor from Texas Tech University School of Law in 2007.