J. Christopher Llinas:

The NCDD member of the spotlight is J. Christopher Llinas of Portland, Connecticut. He is licensed to practice in Connecticut, US D. Conn, US 1st Circuit, US 2nd Circuit, EOIR (Immigration Courts and Board of Immigration Appeals) and Maryland (inactive). He’s been practicing law for 27 years. He is a fierce defender in criminal, DUI, traffic, juvenile and immigration removal defense law. He became an attorney out of a desire to be an intellectual gladiator in the fight for justice.

Chris is half Irish and half Puerto Rican. He was born in Buffalo and adopted by a Cuban guy from Flatbush and a Puerto Rican girl from Spanish Harlem. He was raised in Western and Upstate New York and Central Pennsylvania. He spent his adult life either on the Delmarva Peninsula (mostly the Maryland Eastern Shore) or in New England. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English (Magna cum Laude) from Salisbury University and then became a paramedic for four years before going to law school. He obtained his law degree from the University of New Hampshire School of Law (formerly the Franklin Pierce Law Center in Concord, New Hampshire).

After moving from paramedicine to law, Chris worked in a variety of legal roles, from appellate law clerk to public defender, state’s attorney, in-house counsel, and private defense attorney. His approach to law is “triage,” very fitting considering his paramedic background. When asked what his favorite part of practicing law is, he remarked: "The extent to which it is never boring. However stressful and crazy as it often is, it never fails to be an interesting ride." Chris has lived all over New England including East Aurora and Niskayuna, New York, State College, Pennsylvania, Westminster, Vermont, Painter and Chincoteague, Virginia, Laurel, Delaware, Concord, New Hampshire, Windham, Ocean City, and Ocean Pines, Maryland, Hebron, Middletown and Portland, Connecticut.

A huge influence in Chris’s life has been his father, a college professor and world-renowned expert in data fusion and artificial intelligence. His mother was an accountant and a homemaker. Chris includes many in his sphere of positive and inspiring mentors including his high school wrestling coach Len Rockey, Salisbury Maryland college professors Tony Whall and Bill Zak, New Hampshire law school professors Bruce Friedman, Dick Hesse, and Buzz Scherr, Maine Appellate Justice Leigh Saufley, Maryland lawyers Tony Carozza, Rich Parolski, Jim Anthonelli and Lenny Stamm. He also thanks various wise elders in Alcoholics Anonymous, from which he’s drawn much strength.

Chris is the Connecticut State Delegate for the NCDD (and occasional faculty member), a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), an Executive Board Member of the Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (CCDLA), a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Connecticut American Immigration Lawyers Association (CT-AILA), and the New England American Immigration Lawyers Association (New England- AILA).

When asked about his favorite wins, Chris modesty reflects, “I’ve had many good results over the years, but nothing particularly noteworthy, other than a consistent track record of clients well-served.” One major victory worth noting; however, was a recent appellate win in the First Circuit—Al Amiri v. Rosen, 985 F.3d 1 (2021), which broadens the scope of legal status in the United States.

Chris is a gladiator both in and outside the courtroom. Since 2000, he has run 40 marathons and finished 6 Ironmans. Chris is a father of 2 grown sons and cherishes his girlfriend Shanel and his family of Siberian Huskies. When his sons were little, he coached them in soccer.

When it comes to advice for new lawyers, Chris is clear: “This job can make you think you are all that, especially if you are good at it. Stay humble and grounded. Your ego is not your amigo. Stay focused on serving others. Things will always shake out for the best, and you’ll be a better lawyer for it.”

When asked about the NCDD, Chris remarks “It’s an impressive collection of some of the best lawyers across the country from whom I get to learn every day. Some of whom have become good friends. I am blessed and honored to be a part of it.” It is we, at the NCDD, that are blessed to have you, Chris, among our ranks. Whether it is one of your wise answers to collateral consequences on the list serve or seeing your smiling face at seminars or witnessing your trial skills in role play, you guide and encourage us all. Buddha said, “Endurance is one of the most difficult disciplines, but it is to the one who endures, that the final victory comes.” You are a force in and out of the courtroom Chris Llinas. You live your truth and it is powerful. Thank you for everything you do for the NCDD.