Carlyle Parish LLC is a distinguished criminal defense law firm founded by Elizabeth Unger Carlyle and Kay Parish, specializing in complex post-conviction, appellate, and habeas corpus matters. With over 50 years of combined legal experience, the firm is recognized for its fierce, strategic defense of clients and dedication to achieving justice through meticulous advocacy and deep expertise in capital and federal cases.
The firm adopts a highly collaborative approach, with both partners working on every case to leverage their complementary strengths in state and federal criminal law. They focus on representing individuals facing severe charges or wrongful convictions, particularly in matters involving ineffective assistance of counsel, sentencing errors, and constitutional violations. Their practice extends beyond Missouri due to their unique proficiency in capital and post-conviction litigation, and they maintain offices in both Kansas City and St. Louis for statewide accessibility.
Services Offered
- Criminal Defense
- Murder and Death Penalty Defense
- Violent Crimes Defense
- Drug and Substance-Related Charges Defense
- Sex Crimes Defense
- Theft and Property Offenses Defense
- Other Felony Offenses Defense
- Criminal Appeals
- Post-Conviction Relief
- Habeas Corpus Proceedings
- Clemency Petitions
- Federal Criminal Defense
- State Criminal Defense
- Appellate Advocacy
- Capital Case Defense
The firm is admitted to practice in Missouri, Mississippi, Texas, and Illinois, and handles cases in multiple federal circuits including the Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth. Both attorneys are members of the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, with Elizabeth Carlyle having received the Atticus Finch Outstanding Criminal Defense Lawyer Award twice for her work on behalf of incarcerated clients.
