Elizabeth Marie Paukstis

Elizabeth Marie Paukstis, 52, died in an accident on February 17, 2026 while on assignment as a civil rights attorney in the State of Texas. Elizabeth, also known as Beth, is survived by her son, Lucas Eisenhart, Lucas's father Stewart Eisenhart, parents Beverly and John Paukstis, sister of Christine Paukstis, brother of Greg Paukstis and his spouse Kendall White, and sister of Rene Laje (Paukstis) and her spouse Gonzalo Laje. Elizabeth was the aunt to Julia, Sofia, and Catalina Laje, and Brett and Rosy Paukstis. She will be deeply missed by all who loved her.
Elizabeth was strident about advocating against the immorality of wrongful mass incarceration of vulnerable populations. She worked tirelessly to overturn wrongful convictions and the reduction of outrageously long prison sentences.
Elizabeth is a graduate of Germantown Academy, Ft. Washington, PA, New York University (NYU), magna cum laude, University of Texas at Austin, and Georgetown University Law Center, where she was recognized for Exceptional Pro Bono Service. Her pro bono legal work was published in the American Bar Association's publication Defense of Justice.
Upon graduation from NYU, Elizabeth managed a team of copy editors, designers, and medical reviewers during the publication of The American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR). She subsequently worked as an editor at St. Martin's Press, New York City. In the year 2000, Elizabeth joined former president Jimmy Carter to monitor elections in Mexico City.
After achieving a M.A. in English at the University of Texas at Austin, Elizabeth worked as a Policy Analyst and Editor at the Texas State Legislature, House Research Organization. She was also active in Poverty & Race Research and with the Women's Health Caucus.
While at Georgetown Law, Elizabeth was a legal intern for U.S. Senator, Richard J. Durbin (D-Illinois). She stayed connected to Georgetown Law by mentoring law school students and vigorously supporting the Men's Basketball Team.
After graduating from law school, Elizabeth worked for LOEVY & LOEVY, Chicago, Illinois by investigating and litigating claims of police abuse, nondisclosure of evidence, and other systemic police misconduct.
Prior to her unexpected death, Elizabeth worked as a post-conviction attorney for The Wrongful Conviction Project, Austin, Texas. She worked to represent wrongfully convicted clients in non-capital cases.
A Chicago native who carved out her own path across American's iconic cities, leaving footprints in the bustling streets of New York City, the historic corners of Philadelphia, the vibrant scene of Austin, and the powerful corridors of Washington, DC. When Elizabeth was not poring over case files, she enjoyed watching basketball games, getting lost in the pages of her latest book with her cat Yoshi on her lap, or planning her next adventure.
Elizabeth Paukstis, like the prophet Isaish, said, "Tell me where you want me to go Lord, and I will go." Now the Lord has said, "Well done good and faithful servant....it's time to come home."