Our Staff

A team of highly dedicated and skilled paralegals/assistants works with our attorneys and our clients to provide high quality and personalized legal services, with emphasis on trust, communication, and cooperation.

Craig

Paralegal

Fluent in French

After moving to Portland, Maine, from Upstate New York in early 2012, Craig became a vital member of a litigation team at a national law firm specializing in employment-related matters. Driven by his passion for language and culture, Craig joined Landis Arn & Jaynes, P.A. in late 2013, where he specializes in business-related immigration. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies from Purdue University and an Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies from Bryant & Stratton College.

In his spare time, Craig enjoys traveling, entertaining friends and family, and helping high school exchange students adjust to their new families, schools, and communities in Maine and New Hampshire. As a Community Representative for Ayusa International, he continues to foster connections across cultures.

“When we open our hearts to strangers, we embrace the true spirit of humanity.”

- Unknown

Alanna

Paralegal

As a lifelong Mainer, Alanna has always held a deep love for her home state and a commitment to making it a place where everyone can thrive. After graduating from the University of Southern Maine with a degree in economics and sociology, Alanna worked at local nonprofits in affordable housing, refugee resettlement, legal aid, and language access. These experiences left Alanna with a desire to translate complicated language into understandable advice and to help folks navigate complex systems in order to achieve the protection and dignity they deserve.

 

Outside of work, Alanna sits on the advisory committee of the LGBTQ+ Collection at the University of Southern Maine library which collects and preserves Maine LGBTQ+ history. In her spare time, Alanna can be found walking Maine’s many trails, reading for her next book club, trying not to lose her Duolingo streak, or obsessing over all things Eurovision.

“I know towns, farms, hills and rivers and rocks, I know how the sun at sunset in autumn falls on the side of a certain plowland in the hills; but what is the sense of giving a boundary to all that, of giving it a name and ceasing to love where the name ceases to apply?”

- Ursula K. Le Guin, The Left Hand of Darkness

Amy

Paralegal

Fluent in Spanish

As a daughter of immigrant parents, and a once local to Florida’s melting pot of the Latin community, Amy knew she wanted to help in being the “bridge” between the immigrant community and their assimilation into the U.S. In 2017, Amy completed her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Central Florida with a minor in International Relations and a certificate in National Security and Intelligence. Soon after graduation, Amy moved to Dallas, Texas and began her career as an Immigration Paralegal.

Early into her career, Amy was sent to various cities in North Texas to spread education and training to other paralegals in her field. Amy has dedicated many years in learning and working with governments of various countries and has even traveled to a few like Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Spain and Germany.

In her spare time, Amy enjoys reading outside in the sun, spoiling her dogs Niko & Ava, climbing in indoor bouldering gyms, and visiting her family in Ecuador.

“At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can.”

- Frida Kahlo

Keira

Paralegal

She first became an immigration paralegal in 2015, where she quickly specialized in employment-based cases. She’s drafted petitions for people working in all kinds of industries (notably tech, biomedical, pharmaceutical, engineering, and business) and also spent a long time working as an immigration paralegal for the entertainment and sports industries. She loves learning about all the cool things people are doing professionally and is happy she gets to help them secure jobs to continue their amazing work in the United States.

If you speak with Keira and she sounds a little funny, don’t be alarmed. She’s just from England.

In her spare time, Keira enjoys writing, listening to all kinds of music, and hiking hills while wearing a very heavy weight pack.

“Everything works out in the end. If it hasn’t worked out yet, it’s not the end.”

- Tracy McMillan

Marisol

Paralegal

Fluent in Spanish

When I was a teenager, my dad made the decision to bring us to this great Country. For as long as I can remember he was always away working to give us a better future, until one day he had the opportunity to bring us to the US to be together.

In May of 2015, Marisol graduated from Blinn College in Bryan, Texas with an Associate of Applied Science Legal Assistant (Paralegal). In September 2018, she was hired by a family-based immigration attorney and has been in this industry ever since. She loves the connection with clients and knowing that she gives them relief after a difficult journey. Helping an individual come here to give their loved ones a better future is a reminder of all the sacrifices her father once made for his family. Since day one of working in the immigration field, Marisol has enjoyed making a difference in someone’s life.

In her spare time, Marisol is always creating activities for her twin babies and oldest daughter, not only to keep them entertained, but also to have a moment of silence and peace. She also enjoys pending time with her family and friends and hosting gatherings to make memorable memories.

“One day at a time. One dream at a time. And one could say it’s right and one could say it’s wrong. And probably both would be right. Because life is both complicated and simple. Which is why there are cookies.”

- Fredrik Backman

Carrie

Office Manager

Fluent in Spanish

As a teenager growing up in Midcoast Maine, Carrie’s aptitude for learning languages and her interest in other cultures led her to study abroad over the course of several years – in Venezuela, Panama, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic. These experiences prompted her to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Latin American Studies from Mount Holyoke College.

Carrie spent ten years in the field of education, first as an interpreter for English Language Learners in central Maine and later as a high school Spanish teacher. After deciding to leave teaching in 2007, Carrie was fortunate to find her perfect job, where she can organize, plan, and create spreadsheets to her heart’s content, while still fostering her love of languages and cultures.

In her spare time, Carrie can be found exploring Maine’s calm waters in her kayak, spending time with her family and friends, planning her next travel adventure, or tending to the demands of her cat, Clarice.

“My fellow Americans, we are and always will be a nation of immigrants. We were strangers once, too.”

- President Barack Obama

Hannah

Administrative Assistant

Hannah began her professional career as an elementary school teacher in Westbrook, Maine, where she worked closely with children and families. Many of her students were immigrants or children of immigrants, an experience that deepened her understanding of the vital role immigration plays in shaping lives and communities. This experience continues to fuel her commitment to supporting immigrant communities in Maine and beyond.

In her role as Administrative Assistant, Hannah brings dedication, compassion, and a strong sense of service to her work, ensuring that everyone she interacts with feels welcomed, valued, and supported.

Outside of work, Hannah enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, exploring Maine’s beaches, trails and playgrounds, and experimenting with new nutritious recipes for her family.

"What a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days of our lives haven't even happened yet."

- Anne Frank