Elizabeth Anne Franklin-Best

Elizabeth Franklin-Best is a nationally recognized federal criminal defense and appellate attorney with over 20 years of experience representing clients in high-stakes post-conviction proceedings across the United States. She is the founder and principal of Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C., a boutique law firm dedicated exclusively to federal criminal defense, federal direct appeals, post-conviction relief, and habeas corpus litigation. Named to Best Lawyers in America for Appellate Practice (2026), Elizabeth has built a national practice grounded in meticulous research, creative legal strategy, and relentless client advocacy.

Practice Focus

Elizabeth concentrates on complex federal criminal matters, including federal criminal appeals, 28 U.S.C. § 2255 motions to vacate, § 2241 habeas petitions, 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c) sentence reduction motions, compassionate release, First Step Act matters, Bureau of Prisons issues, sentencing mitigation, early termination of supervised release, presidential pardon and commutation petitions, and pre-trial and trial representation in federal court. Her firm maintains a select caseload to ensure each client receives individualized attention from consultation through final resolution.

Education & Career

Elizabeth earned her J.D. and a Master's in Philosophy from the University of Wyoming. She began her career at the Richland County Public Defender's Office in Columbia, South Carolina, then joined the South Carolina Commission on Indigent Defense, Appellate Division, handling numerous appeals before the state's highest courts. She became a partner at Blume Franklin-Best & Young, LLC, focusing on capital post-conviction and appellate advocacy for seven years. In 2019, she founded Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C.

Honors & Recognition

Elizabeth was named 2010 Public Defender of the Year by the South Carolina Public Defender Association. She has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America (Appellate Practice, 2026), Martindale-Hubbell (Peer Review Rated), and Avvo (10.0 Superb rating).

Publications & Speaking

Elizabeth is the author of Reversing Your Criminal Conviction: Develop Your Winning Strategy (2023). Her published legal scholarship includes "Federal Compassionate Release: A Complete Guide to Early Release from Federal Prison" (Best Lawyers, 2025), "What Justices' Bowe Ruling Could Mean for Federal Prisoners" (Law360 Expert Analysis, 2025), "Harjo v. City of Albuquerque: A Road Map for Challenging Policing for Profits" (The Champion, NACDL, 2019, co-authored with David B. Smith), and "Biting the Apple: Legal and Ethical Obligations of Post-Conviction Relief Counsel" (South Carolina Lawyer, 2017). She frequently presents at legal conferences and CLE seminars on appellate advocacy, federal post-conviction procedures, and white-collar defense.

Bar Admissions

Elizabeth is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, all thirteen U.S. Courts of Appeals, multiple U.S. District Courts, and the state courts of New York and South Carolina.

Professional Memberships

Elizabeth serves as Co-Vice Chair of the NACDL Amicus Curiae Committee (Fourth Circuit) and is a Charter Member and Co-Leader of the South Carolina Chapter of the Women's White Collar Defense Association. She is an active member of the ABA (White Collar Crime and International White Collar Crime Committees), the International Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association (South Carolina Chapter), and the South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. She has served as Chair of the Board of Directors for Justice 360, a nonprofit devoted to equity in capital cases.

Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C., maintains offices in Mount Pleasant and Columbia, South Carolina.