Elizabeth Dorsi represents clients in disputes ranging from high-stakes civil litigation and trial to pre-litigation conflict resolution. Elizabeth leverages her practical experience handling a wide range of matters in state and federal trial courts, on appeal, and in arbitration.

Her practice focuses on complex litigation with an emphasis on trust and estate litigation, unfair competition, false advertising consumer class actions, breach of contract claims, and business dissolution disputes. She uses a combination of strategic, big-picture thinking, and close attention to detail to develop creative solutions when none appear to exist. Elizabeth focuses day-to-day primarily on advising clients on litigation risks and strategy, briefing dispositive motions, taking and defending depositions, and negotiating settlement agreements with opposing counsel.

In her trust and estate litigation practice, Elizabeth regularly represents trustees and beneficiaries in a range of complex disputes, including trust administration claims, beneficiary disputes, will and trust challenges, disputes regarding disbursements owed to income and HEMS beneficiaries, and claims of breach of trust, undue influence, and elder abuse. 

Elizabeth has an active pro bono practice. She successfully argued the Ninth Circuit habeas appeal for a death row inmate, which resulted in her client’s 40-year-old conviction being overturned because the prosecutor had engaged in unconstitutional racial discrimination during jury selection. She has also represented parties in unlawful detainer actions, SSDI administrative appeals, and civil rights class actions challenging California’s DNA collection law and juvenile detention practices.

Elizabeth served as a judicial clerk for the Honorable William B. Shubb of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, and as a legal intern with the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office.