Staff
Carolina
Lamas -
Executive Director/Attorney
Born in Lima, Peru, Carolina Lamas has spent most of her life in
the Twin Cities. Ms. Lamas is a trial lawyer who has devoted her legal
practice to criminal defense work. During this time, she has earned a
reputation as a lawyer who will fight vigorously to defend her clients'
constitutional rights. Ms. Lamas attended the University of Minnesota
Law School where she earned her JD in 2003. After graduating law
school, Ms. Lamas worked at the Ramsey County Public Defenders Office
for 4 years where she successfully tried several cases, including
several high-level felonies. Ms. Lamas is the immediate past president
of the Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association where she has served on the
board since 2004.
Lyndee Kamrath - Attorney/Law Clerk Program Director
A Minnesota native, Lyndee Kamrath has a strong connection to the Twin Cities community. Lyndee attended the University of Minnesota where she received her B.A. in Psychology and Spanish in 2004. She received her J.D. in 2007 from William Mitchell Law School. As president of the International Law Students Association she developed a strong interest in working with diverse cultures and had the opportunity to study and work abroad in Spain, Argentina, and China. After graduation, Lyndee volunteered at the Legal Rights Center in Hennepin County prior to accepting a staff attorney position at the Neighborhood Justice Center.
Cullin Smith - Attorney/Community Outreach Program Director
Mr. Smith received his B.A., Summa Cum Laude, from Hamline University, and his law degree from William Mitchell College of Law. He has worked for judges in both State and Federal Court, and has worked internationally on criminal matters in the English Crown Courts. Mr. Smith defends cases of all levels, ranging from driving matters to homicide. In his role as Director of Community Outreach, Mr. Smith organizes N.J.C.’s education of the community on how our legal system works, how to protect our Constitutional rights, methods for resolving problems with police and how to avoid becoming part of the criminal justice system.
Mr. Smith serves on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Lavender Bar Association, protecting the rights of GLBT individuals.
Mr. Smith truly believes in the power of community and is a zealous advocate in pursuit of a more just society.
Krista Marks - Attorney
Krista graduated from the University of Saint Thomas in 2003 Cum Laude, with a B.A. in Criminal Justice and Sociology. She was on the Dean's Honor List for outstanding scholastic achievement, and was a member of Alpha Kappa Delta, the international sociology honor society.
Krista has been at NJC since 2003 where she started as an investigator / community worker. While in law school she became a law clerk/certified student attorney at NJC. She received her J.D. from William Mitchell in 2009, and is presently a staff attorney at NJC.
Abdi Guled Elmi - Community Advocate and Certified Investigator
Community Worker and Certified Investigator, has a master's degree from Saint Mary's University in Minneapolis. Originally from Somalia, his focus at NJC is on outreach to the Somali community. He formerly worked for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the World Health Organization. He is fluent in Somali and Arabic, as well as English.
Darcy Golish - Community Advocate - Investigator
Community Advocate/Investigator - responsible for serving clients and staff.
Volunteers and Interns
Volunteers and interns play many important roles that contribute to the success of NJC. Law student clerks screen potential clients, assist with investigations, and represent clients in selected cases. Attorneys volunteer their time to assist clients in expungements, and provide representation in misdemeanor cases. Work study students and other community volunteers screen potential clients, make referrals to community resources, assist with case preparation, and help maintain client files.
Who we are?
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Email
Carolina Lamas
Executive Director
clamas@njcinc.org
Attorney
lkamrath@njcinc.org
Attorney
csmith@njcinc
Attorney
kvalle@njcinc.org
Community Advocate
Certified Investigator
dgolish@njcinc.org
Community Advocate
Investigator