Justice and Mercy Legal Aid Center
Sulma Mendoza is the Co-Founder and Immigration Director of JAMLAC, where she provides legal representation to immigrant survivors of violent crime, with a particular focus on juvenile immigrants and other vulnerable immigrant populations. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2016 and has dedicated her legal career to serving immigrant communities.
Before becoming an attorney, Sulma spent 16 years as a paralegal at JAMLAC, gaining extensive experience in immigration and family law matters. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Metropolitan State College of Denver in 2008.
Throughout her career, Sulma has been deeply involved in community education and advocacy. She frequently presents on topics including the intersection of domestic violence and immigration benefits, U visas for crime victims, immigrant know-your-rights issues, and basic immigration law. During law school, she served as the evening representative for the Immigrant, Refugee, Asylum Coalition and the Spanish Speaking Lawyers Committee.
An immigrant herself, Sulma is passionate about working with diverse communities from around the world and is especially committed to supporting immigrant survivors of violence and young immigrants. She is fluent in both English and Spanish.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Steve Thompson is the Executive Director of the Justice and Mercy Legal Aid Center (JAMLAC). He co-founded JAMLAC and has been Director for JAMLAC’s 20-year history. In addition to his duties as Executive Director Steve practices family law at JAMLAC. Mr. Thompson graduated from Western Bible College (Now Colorado Christian University) in 1984, Denver Seminary in 1990 and from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 1997.
Mr. Thompson has been practicing law for 30 years. He has primarily represented indigent victims of domestic violence since JAMLAC inception in 2006. Through his work at JAMLAC,
Steve is living out his life calling to “defend the cause of the poor and needy.” (Jeremiah 22:16).
He lives in Frederick, Colorado with his wife Liz. Steve and Liz have three grown children, two sons-in-law and two grandchildren. They attend St. Luke Orthodox Christian Church in Erie Colorado. Steve is a team lead for Good Samaritan Project of the Northern Colorado Orthodox Clergy Brotherhood. Even at 65 years old Steve continues to enjoy playing pick-up basketball 3 to 4 times and week.