If you’ve spent any time falling down the rabbit hole of the "Free Karen Read" movement, you already know the big names. You’ve seen Alan Jackson’s sharp suits and heard David Yannetti’s deep, booming "lawyer voice." But if you watch the actual courtroom footage closely—the hours of dry motion hearings and the complex evidentiary squabbles—you’ll see another face consistently at the defense table.
Elizabeth Little.
Honestly, she’s often the one doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes. While the internet obsessively memes the lead attorneys, Little is frequently the person actually arguing the technicalities that keep the defense's "third-party culprit" theory alive. She isn't just a "junior" associate; she’s a partner at the high-powered Los Angeles firm Werksman Jackson & Quinn.
Who is Elizabeth Little?
Before we get into the weeds of the Karen Read trial, you've gotta understand who Little is. She didn't just stumble into this circus. She’s a graduate of the University of Southern California Gould School of Law. Top 10 percent of her class. Order of the Coif. Basically, she’s a "brainiac" who specializes in the kind of high-stakes criminal defense most people only see on Better Call Saul.
She has been working alongside Alan Jackson for years. Remember the Kevin Spacey sexual assault case in Nantucket back in 2019? Little was a key player there too. That case ended with the charges being dropped. She has a track record of taking on "unwinnable" high-profile cases in Massachusetts, which is probably why she was the perfect fit for the Karen Read defense team.
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The Role of Elizabeth Little in the Karen Read Defense
In the first trial, which ended in a mistrial in July 2024, and the subsequent retrial in 2025, Little’s role was far from symbolic. She often handled the "law nerd" stuff.
While Jackson is the closer—the guy who delivers the fiery speeches that go viral on TikTok—Little is the one fighting over phone records. She’s the one arguing about whether or not certain texts from former Trooper Michael Proctor should be admitted. It's the gritty, unglamorous work of litigation.
- Motion Practice: Little has been instrumental in filing the pretrial motions that defined the defense strategy. This includes the push to get access to Brian Albert’s phone and the records of other people who were inside 34 Fairview Road that night.
- Witness Interaction: While she may not have cross-examined the "celebrity" witnesses like Jen McCabe every single time, she’s been the one managing the flow of evidence.
- The "Shadow" Strategist: In legal circles, she’s known for her sharp legal writing. A lot of those 50-page briefs that keep Judge Beverly Cannone busy? Those likely have Little’s fingerprints all over them.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Legal Team
There’s this misconception that the "L.A. lawyers" are just there for show. People think Karen Read hired them because she wanted a Hollywood-style defense. Kinda true, but kinda not.
The reality is that the Norfolk County District Attorney’s office, led by Michael Morrissey, has faced an uphill battle against a team that is simply more experienced in handling complex, media-heavy litigation. Elizabeth Little brings a West Coast "leave no stone unturned" energy to a very insular Massachusetts legal scene.
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You've seen her at the podium. She’s calm. She’s meticulous. She doesn't get rattled by the prosecution's objections. It's that contrast—Jackson’s fire and Little’s ice—that makes the defense team so formidable.
The 2025 Retrial and the "Witness" Controversy
Here’s a wild detail that sounds like something out of a thriller: at one point during the lead-up to the 2025 retrial, the prosecution actually put Elizabeth Little, Alan Jackson, and David Yannetti on their potential witness list.
Think about that.
The people trying to put Karen Read in jail tried to call her own lawyers as witnesses. The defense obviously called it a "transparent attempt" to disqualify them from the case. It didn't work, of course, but it shows you just how much of a thorn in the side of the Commonwealth these attorneys have been.
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Why You Should Care
Whether you think Karen Read is a victim of a massive police cover-up or someone who made a tragic mistake after a night of drinking, the legal maneuvering is a masterclass in modern defense.
Elizabeth Little represents a shift in how these cases are fought. It’s no longer just about what happened in the snow in Canton; it’s about digital forensics, witness intimidation allegations, and the power of a well-funded, relentless legal team.
Your Move: How to Follow the Case Properly
If you’re trying to keep up with the latest developments in the Karen Read saga, don’t just watch the 60-second clips on social media. They miss the nuance.
- Watch the Full Motion Hearings: This is where Elizabeth Little often shines. It’s where the real legal "chess" happens before the jury even enters the room.
- Check the Filings: If you can get your hands on the actual court documents, look for the signatures. You’ll see how much of the strategy is built on the research Little and her team have done.
- Broaden Your Perspective: Follow local Massachusetts legal analysts who understand the specific quirks of "Mass Law." It's different from California law, and watching how an L.A. firm adapts to it is half the fun.
The Karen Read case isn't just about a broken taillight or a dog named Chloe. It’s a battle of attrition. And in that battle, Elizabeth Little is one of the most important generals on the field.
Keep an eye on her in the coming months as the legal fallout from the 2025 verdict continues. The civil cases and the ongoing federal investigations into the Norfolk DA’s office mean we haven't seen the last of this legal team in Dedham.
Actionable Insight: If you're interested in criminal law or high-profile litigation, study the motion practice of the Werksman Jackson firm. Their ability to shift the narrative through pretrial filings is exactly why this case became a national obsession.