About Our Federal Criminal Defense Law Firm

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Elizabeth Franklin-Best P.C. is a nationally recognized boutique law firm dedicated exclusively to federal criminal defense, appeals, post-conviction relief, and federal prison matters.

Founded by Elizabeth Franklin-Best, the firm combines over 40 years of high-stakes appellate advocacy with the nation’s leading federal prison consulting expertise to provide comprehensive representation for individuals navigating the federal criminal justice system.

Elizabeth Franklin-Best P.C. Provides Trusted Federal Criminal Defense Representation

Our Mission

The firm’s guiding principle, “no stone unturned,” reflects a commitment to meticulous research, creative legal strategy, and impassioned advocacy. By maintaining a deliberately small caseload, our federal criminal defense attorneys devote exceptional time and precision to every client, ensuring a personalized legal strategy from the initial consultation through final resolution.

Elizabeth Franklin-Best P.C. represents individuals across the United States who are facing federal investigations, charges, sentencing, and post-conviction matters. Our team offers steady, experienced guidance at every stage of the federal process—combining strategic defense with practical insight to help clients navigate incarceration, reentry, and available relief options.

With offices in Columbia and Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, we serve clients nationwide, including in major cities such as New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Miami, Dallas, San Antonio, Albuquerque, Houston, and more. We believe everyone deserves strong, effective legal representation—and a real opportunity for a second chance.

We focus on complex federal criminal cases across the country, including:

• Federal § 2255 motions
• Federal appeals
• Federal clemency
• Federal compassionate release
• Federal prison consulting
• Federal sentence mitigation
• Financial crimes
• White collar crimes
• And more

What Sets Us Apart

Elizabeth Franklin-Best P.C. uniquely combines elite federal criminal defense with comprehensive prison consulting services under one roof:

• Appellate Excellence: Attorney Elizabeth Franklin-Best has successfully argued before the United States Supreme Court, U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals, and federal district courts across the country, securing overturned convictions and significant sentence reductions.
• Prison Consulting Expertise: Managing director Christopher Zoukis leads the firm’s Prison Consulting Division, offering unparalleled guidance on prison designation, sentence computation, disciplinary defense, First Step Act credits, compassionate release, and reentry planning.
• Investigative Rigor: The firm applies investigative journalism principles to legal advocacy, leaving no detail unexplored when challenging wrongful convictions or unjust sentences.

Meet Our Federal Criminal Defense Team

Elizabeth Franklin-Best

Main Attorney

Elizabeth Franklin-Best is a nationally recognized federal criminal defense and appellate attorney with over 43 years of experience in high-stakes post-conviction advocacy. She earned her Master’s in Philosophy and law degree from the University of Wyoming and is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court and all federal circuit courts of appeals. Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America^® 2026 for Appellate Practice and named the 2010 South Carolina Public Defender of the Year by the South Carolina Public Defender Association, Elizabeth is the author of Reversing Your Criminal Conviction: Develop Your Winning Strategy (2023) and serves as Co-Vice Chair of the NACDL Amicus Curiae Committee (Fourth Circuit).

Christopher Zoukis

Prison Consulting Division Director

Christopher Zoukis is a leading federal prison consultant, prolific author, and criminal justice advocate. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of California, Davis School of Law, where he served as Articles Editor of the UC Davis Law Review and received the Witkin and Reynoso Awards for Academic Excellence. Chris is the author of the Federal Prison Handbook, Directory of Federal Prisons, Prison Education Guide, College for Convicts, and The Habeas Citebook: Ineffective Assistance of Counsel. CNN, Fox News, The Washington Post, USA Today, and dozens of other national media outlets have featured his work.

LaDonna Falvey

Lead Paralegal and Firm Administrator

LaDonna Falvey brings over 15 years of award-winning investigative journalism experience to the firm’s federal criminal defense practice. A former Investigative Producer at WIS News 10 and founding editor of the West Wateree Chronicle, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a Paralegal Certificate from the University of South Carolina. LaDonna applies her investigative expertise, including FOIA requests, document analysis, and complex research, to support appeals, post-conviction motions, and habeas corpus proceedings.

Kimberly Zoukis

Operations Manager

Kimberly Zoukis oversees client care and administrative operations for the firm. She brings over seven years of corporate management experience from Compass Group, where she completed the prestigious Manager-in-Training program. Kimberly holds a Certificate in Business Administration with honors from the University of California, Berkeley Extension. Since 2019, she has ensured that clients receive responsive, personalized service throughout their legal journey.

Federal Criminal Defense You Can Rely On – At Every Stage

If you or a loved one faces federal criminal charges, has been convicted in federal court, or seeks post-conviction relief, the team at Elizabeth Franklin-Best P.C. is ready to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation, or call us at (843) 620-1100 and take the first step toward justice. Develop a strategy for success, regardless of where you are in the criminal justice process.

Visit Our Federal Criminal Defense Law Offices

Elizabeth Franklin-Best P.C. – Columbia, SC Office
3710 Landmark Drive, Suite 113, Columbia, SC 29204, United States
(843) 620-1100

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