Meet Iron Chris

Iron Chris (AKA J. Christopher Llinas) is a Connecticut attorney specializing in criminal defense, DUI/OUI, traffic, juvenile, immigration removal, and crimmigration law — the critical intersection of criminal and immigration law where the stakes for clients are highest. Known statewide as “Iron Chris,” he brings over 28 years of legal experience, more than 100 jury trials, and more than 45 appeals to every case he takes.

Former prosecutor. Federal appellate advocate. Iron-distance triathlete. Chris Llinas brings the same relentless preparation to the courtroom that he brings to race day.

28+Years in Practice
100+Jury Trials
45+Appeals
30+Marathons

Telephone: 860-530-1781

Early Life & Education

Shaped by Grit, Built in the Classroom

J. Christopher Llinas brings a distinctly multicultural perspective to his advocacy and serves clients in both English and Spanish.

The four years Chris spent working as a paramedic prior to law school — instilled in him the “triage” mindset he applies to his legal practice: assess the situation quickly, identify what matters most, and act decisively under pressure.

Background	Details
Birthplace	Born in Buffalo, New York
Heritage	Son of a Cuban father from Flatbush and a Puerto Rican mother from Spanish Harlem
Upbringing	Raised in Western & Upstate New York and Central Pennsylvania
Cultural Identity	Half Irish, half Puerto Rican
Languages	Serves clients in both English and Spanish
Pre-Law Experience	Worked as a paramedic for four years
Undergraduate Education	Salisbury University — B.A. in English, Magna Cum Laude (1989)

Every Role. Every Side of the Courtroom.

Iron Chris has held virtually every role the legal profession offers and that breadth of perspective is what makes him an unusually effective advocate.

Section	Details
Law Degree	J.D. · 1997 — Franklin Pierce Law Center (now University of New Hampshire School of Law)Graduated 2nd in class of 128
Law School Honors & Activities	Teaching Assistant (Civil Procedure & Constitutional Law) · National Health Law Moot Court · National Trial Advocacy Competition
Appellate Clerkship	Post-J.D. — Maine Supreme Judicial CourtLaw Clerk to Leigh I. Saufley
EOIR Admitted	2018 — Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR)Admitted to Immigration Courts & Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)
Criminal Defense and Crimmigration Practice	1997– Present — Over his legal career, Chris has worked as a law clerk, legal aid lawyer, public defender, state’s attorney, in-house counsel, private defense attorney, both in Maryland and in Connecticut. Since October 2017, he has developed a successful boutique private practice in Criminal Defense and Crimmigration, advocating for clients in the federal and state courts of Connecticut, and the immigration courts of the Northeast and throughout the country.

Connecticut

Upon relocating to Connecticut in October 2017, Iron Chris rapidly established himself as a leading advocate in criminal defense, DUI/OUI, and crimmigration — the intersection of criminal and immigration law where a single conviction can trigger deportation, detention, or a permanent bar to legal status.

He handles matters from the trial courts through the federal circuit courts, is admitted to the EOIR Immigration Courts and BIA, and has partnered with the ACLU of Connecticut in federal civil rights matters, including securing a Temporary Restraining Order protecting students’ constitutional rights. A Hartford office serves clients across the entire state.

Associations & Bar Admissions — Connected. Credentialed. Always at the Table.

Professional Associations

Organization	Role / Involvement
Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (CCDLA)	Executive Board Member
National College for DUI Defense (NCDD)	Connecticut State Delegate · Occasional Faculty
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)	Member
Connecticut Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (CT-AILA)	Executive Committee Member/Treasurer
New England Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (NE-AILA)	Member

Bar Admissions

Jurisdiction / Court	Status
State of Connecticut	Active
United States District Court for the District of Connecticut	Admitted
United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit	Admitted
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit	Admitted
Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) — Immigration Courts & Board of Immigration Appeals	Admitted

Beyond the Courtroom

Iron in the Courtroom. Iron on the Course.

Notable Personal Achievements

In addition to his legal career, Chris is an avid endurance athlete. He has completed 40+ marathons, including the Boston Marathon in 2015 and 2016, and myriad others. He has also completed numerous half-marathons, 10-milers, and shorter races. Furthermore, he has participated in various triathlons, including 7 Ironman-distance triathlons, 10 Half Ironmans, and numerous shorter races. He has also engaged in other challenging physical endeavors, such as swimming 12.5 miles around Key West in 2017.

In recent years, Llinas’ race calendar has included events such as the NYRR Team for Kids event in November 2023, Ironman Cork 2023, Ironman 70.3 Mont-Tremblant 2024, Ironman70.3 Maine 2024, the Green River Marathon 2025, Ironman 70.3 Western Massachusetts 2025, Ironman Chattanooga 2025, and Ironman 70.3 Puerto Rico 2026. He continues to race while raising money for select charities through the Ironman Foundation and actively maintains a rigorous fitness routine that often includes swimming, running, biking, surfing, lifting, or yoga. His upcoming “A” race for 2026 is Ironman Canada/Ottawa.

References:

In the Record

External Links

About Iron Chris