Federal Criminal Defense & Appeals Attorney
Elizabeth Franklin-Best is a nationally recognized federal criminal defense and appellate attorney with over 20 years of experience in high-stakes post-conviction advocacy. Clients across the United States turn to Elizabeth to challenge wrongful convictions and unjust sentences in the federal courts, including matters before various U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.
Elizabeth is known for combining compassionate, individualized client care with relentless advocacy. She founded her boutique firm, Elizabeth Franklin-Best P.C., to ensure every client receives a personalized legal strategy. By keeping her caseload intentionally small, Elizabeth devotes her full attention to each client’s case, from the initial consultation through the final appeal.
Across all these areas, Elizabeth’s goal is to reverse wrongful convictions and reduce harsh sentences so that her clients can reclaim their lives and futures. Her firm’s guiding principle—“no stone unturned”—reflects a commitment to meticulous research, creative legal strategy, and impassioned advocacy.
Experience & Education
After earning her Master’s in Philosophy and her law degree from the University of Wyoming, Elizabeth became licensed in South Carolina and New York. Early in her career, she served at the Richland County Public Defender’s Office in Columbia, SC, and later at the South Carolina Commission on Indigent Defense, Appellate Division, where she handled numerous appeals before South Carolina’s highest courts.
In private practice, Elizabeth became a partner at Blume Franklin-Best & Young, LLC, focusing on capital post-conviction and appellate advocacy. The South Carolina Public Defender Association recognized her as the 2010 “Public Defender of the Year” for her excellence in appellate work on behalf of indigent defendants. In 2019, she launched Elizabeth Franklin-Best P.C., a boutique firm dedicated to federal criminal defense, federal appeals, and post-conviction litigation. Today, she leverages her 20+ years of experience to secure relief in federal courts and through post-conviction motions nationwide.
Speaking & Writing
A respected thought leader in appellate and post-conviction law, Elizabeth frequently presents at legal conferences and Continuing Legal Education (CLE) seminars on topics such as:
- Effective appellate brief writing
- Federal post-conviction procedures
- White-collar criminal defense strategies
She has also organized and hosted white-collar defense seminars in collaboration with the South Carolina Federal Bar Association and the South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
She has also served as Chair of the Board of Directors for Justice 360, a non-profit devoted to equity in capital cases. She participates in community outreach to support prisoners and their families seeking post-conviction relief.
Hire Elizabeth Franklin-Best P.C. Today
If you or a loved one needs an experienced federal criminal defense or appellate lawyer, Elizabeth Franklin-Best P.C. provides the focused advocacy and personalized counsel required for these complex matters. With a national practice, decades of experience, and an unwavering commitment to each client’s well-being, Elizabeth and her firm are poised to help you develop a winning legal strategy.
