Elizabeth "Betsey" Carlisle Beasley

What is zealous advocacy?

I come from a family of attorneys and judges, so the study of law is something I grew up appreciating. I believe in defending the Constitution and zealously advocating for my clients.

Sometimes clients misunderstand what zealous advocacy means. It does not mean we do anything the client wants. It means we apply the law to the facts of a case and advise based on our understanding of that application. The feelings a client has about his or her case add to the facts of the case, so they are always being considered. Difficult decisions may need to be made based on this application, and attorneys cannot eliminate those difficult decisions from having to be made. I believe this is where the attorney-client relationship can break down.

When I have a client communicate a lack of trust, we either have to find a way to build that trust or part ways. Parting ways would then be in the best interests of the client, and zealous advocacy would require the tough decision to end the relationship. For example, I had a criminal client one time who had such an innate distrust of my advice that he wanted to do the opposite of whatever I was advising. That is the worst situation to be in as an attorney, knowing you are giving sound advice and your client insists on doing the opposite. I immediately requested a withdrawal before he destroyed his case or any hope of a good defense.

On the other hand, this can happen every so often in family law cases because of money, children, or the strong feelings involved. My main rule in family law is not to take a potential client who only wants to hurt the other party. That's not my purpose.

This is important to communicate to potential clients because I want anyone who calls my office to know we are in the business of collecting facts, applying the law, advising our clients the best way possible, and then doing the work. If we can agree to work together on completing those tasks, we're good!

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  Free consultations are fine, but any follow-up consultations are $250/hour.
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• Contingent Fees
  Only in certain cases. 33.3% of recovery and 40% of recovery if we have to prepare or go to trial.
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Georgia

State Bar of Georgia

Since 2017

11th Circuit

ID Number: United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia

Since 2019

Georgia Court of Appeals

Supreme Court of Georgia

Owner/Attorney

Carlisle Legal Services, LLC d/b/a Carlisle Law Firm

2018 - Current

Associate Attorney

Carlisle Law Firm

2018 - Current

Since 2018, I have worked cases with my brother, who runs his practice under the name, "Carlisle Law Firm." When I was on my own before, I did business under Carlisle Legal Services, LLC. Now, he and I both work under the firm name, Carlisle Law Firm.

Associate Attorney

BALBO & GREGG, ATTORNEYS AT LAW

2021 - 2023

I practiced mainly in criminal and family law. This was a great experience, and I learned so much about both of these areas of law during my time there. Chet Gregg and A.J. Balbo are talented, experienced, and brilliant attorneys. I am lucky to have them as mentors.

Attorney, Public Defender

Ogeechee Circuit Office of the Public Defender

2017 - 2018

I loved this position because I was in court almost every day. I was assigned mostly juvenile criminal defense cases, so I was studying the juvenile court statutes daily. The chief public defender was such an intelligent and professional female role model in my life. I have had several in my varied career, and I really appreciate the influence they have had on my career.

Owner/Founder

Conner's Place

2002 - 2016

Before passing the bar, I owned a private business where I provided community education in the areas of DDS-approved programs, a state-certified family violence intervention program, and grant-funded and other research-based community programs.

Training Specialist

Pineland Mental Health

1998 - 2000

Educated and trained community leaders and members on research-based, prevention community programming.

CPS Investigator/Case manager

Candler County Department of Family and Children Services

1994 - 1996

This job was the most difficult I have had to date. It motivated me to go back and get my Masters in Public Administration at GSU. Left DFCS around1996, and graduated with my MPA in 1997.

State Bar of Georgia  # 567510

Member

Current