C. J. McElhinney has been an attorney since 2003.  Mr. McElhinney practices criminal defense, personal injury, civil rights, family law and general civil litigation.  Mr. McElhinney earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2003 and graduated from New Mexico State University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts in Government. Prior to completing his education, Mr. McElhinney served as an infantryman in the United States Marine Corps and is a graduate of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island, South Carolina, and the Marine Corps School of Infantry at Camp Geiger, North Carolina.  The training and ideals he learned in the Marines still serve him well today as a practicing attorney.