Elizabeth Payette

Elizabeth Payette is a Rhode Island criminal defense attorney at Manosh Payette, LLC, with more than a decade of experience advocating for people accused of serious crimes. She has defended clients in numerous felony bench and jury trials and has litigated pretrial motions involving alleged constitutional violations. Her practice includes complex felony matters requiring expert analysis in areas such as DNA, homicide, ballistics, and cell phone evidence. She follows a client-centered approach and treats each client as an active member of the defense team.

Elizabeth earned her B.A. from American University in May 2002 and her J.D. from DePaul University College of Law in May 2008. While attending law school, she assisted people facing the death penalty, worked on appeals involving wrongful convictions, and helped secure a pardon. She also served as a law clerk and research assistant for Professor Andrea Lyon. During her time with the Cook County Public Defender’s Office, she joined a team that helped overturn an innocent client’s murder conviction after 26 years in prison.

Elizabeth served in the Cook County Public Defender’s Office from 2010 to 2016, working in traffic, domestic violence, and adult trial divisions. She later joined Massachusetts’ Committee for Public Counsel Services in 2017. From October 2017 through July 2023, she worked for the Rhode Island Office of the Public Defender. Her roles included the Felony Probation Violations Division and Adult Trial Division. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2008 and the Rhode Island Bar in 2018.

Elizabeth Payette brings extensive trial experience, advanced forensic knowledge, and a strong commitment to protecting constitutional rights. She has completed training involving mental illness, forensic evidence, confessions, warrant suppression, forensic pathology, fingerprints, arson, and firearms. She serves on Rhode Island court panels for murder, Class One felony, and Class Two felony cases. Her advocacy emphasizes individualized defense strategies, respectful treatment, and careful preparation for every stage of a criminal case.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Manosh Payette Criminal Defense Attorneys
• Member, Rhode Island Bar Association
• Member, Illinois State Bar Association

Licensed State

• Rhode Island
• Illinois

Education

• DePaul University College of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• American University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges