Liz was born in the tough South Bronx of New York City. She was born to two Cuban
immigrants who strived to raise their family in the United States in order to give them a better
life. As her parents worked to become citizens, Liz grew up and succeeded beyond her parents'
wildest imaginations. Liz was the first in her entire extended family to receive a post-graduate
doctoral degree! She is completely bilingual in English and Spanish.
When Liz became a lawyer, she could have taken a job with a big civil firm. Instead, she decided
to give back. She took a job as a deputy public defender so she could help poor people who
found themselves accused of a crime by the government. As a public defender, Liz took on
numerous serious cases.
Liz was a senior lawyer and supervisor in the then experimental Denver Drug Court. She was
also instrumental in working to bring a childcare facility to the Denver courts so that children
who were required to attend court with their parents could find a warm, safe and fun place to be
rather than be exposed to the sadness that frequents courtrooms.
Liz’s dedication and success has been recognized through the many requests she has received to
serve the bar and the courts. Liz was president of the Alfred Arraj American Inns of Court, a
director of the Denver Bar Association and a board member of the Colorado Hispanic Bar
Association. Liz has also served as a lecturer for the American Bar Association to teach foreign
national attorneys and judges the U.S. system of justice. Liz has also served as counsel to the
Mexican Consulate.
Liz brings compassion and understanding to her work. She understands that a criminal case is
often the most profoundly impactful event in an individual and family’s life. She is also
aggressive and tough when needed.
In her spare time, Liz raises the family’s four children and runs marathons. She has completed
the Marine Corp, New York, Portland and several Chicago marathons.
For her outstanding career as a criminal defense attorneys and service to the community Liz was
awarded the 2022 Chris Miranda Hispanic Lawyer of the Year award by the Colorado Hispanic
Bar Association Positions Held.
Liz’s Details
Por su carrera sobresaliente como abogada de defensa penal y por su servicio a la comunidad, Liz fue concedida el premio de 2022 Chris Miranda, reservado para el Abogado Hispano del Año por La Asociación de Abogados Hispanos de Colorado. Liz también ha servido como consejo para el Consulado Mexicano.
Employment
Law Offices of Castle & Castle P.C. (2004-present)
Law Offices of Lisabeth Perez Castle (2000-2004)
Colorado State Public Defenders (1988–2000)—served in the Denver, Durango and
Brighton Regional offices; division lead Denver Drug Court 1998–1999
Contract counsel to the Mexican Consulate (2008-2011)
Positions Held
- Inaugural President & Board Member, co-founder, Justice Sonia Sotomayor Inn of Court,
American Inns of Court – 2017-2020 - President & Board Member, Alfred Arraj Inn of Court, American Inns of Court – 1998-2003
- Elected Member of the Board of Directors, Colorado Hispanic Bar Association – 2010
- Board Member of the Board of Trustees, Denver Bar Association – 2003-2004
- Counsel to the Mexican Consulate Denver, Colorado – 2008-2011
- Appointed Commission Member, 18th Judicial Performance Commission – 2017-2022
Community Involvement
- Student Mentor, Denver Public Schools, Academic Mentors Project Community
Resources – 2021-present - Law Student Mentor, University of Denver School of Law, Mentor Program – 2021-present
- Volunteer (delivering meals to a shelter for women and transgender individuals experiencing homelessness), Delores Project – 2013-present
- Board of Directors, Denver Kids – 2020-2021
- Pro Bono work (assisting indigent citizens in sealing prior convictions for minor offenses so they may obtain employment and housing), Colorado Criminal Defense Bar – 2018-2020
- Volunteer (serving meals), Samaritan House – 2005-2017
- Booster Chair, Littleton High School Boys Soccer – 2016-2017
- Volunteer (assistance to elderly, food preparation for individuals who are unhoused, Fall Festival, annual banquet committee) – 1996-2017
- Volunteer, Littleton High School Honor Choir – 2008-2012
- Fundraiser for Lymphoma and Leukemia, Team in Training – 2001-2003
- Denver Courts Child Care Task Force Committee – 1998-2000
- Toy Drive coordinator (children at Fort Logan Mental Health Institute), Denver Public Defenders Office – 1994-1999
- ESL Teaching Volunteer (adults seeking to pass citizenship test) – 1997-1998
Professional Affiliations (Past & Present)
- Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
- Colorado Bar Association
- Colorado Women’s Bar Association
- District of Colorado Federal Criminal Justice Act Panel Attorney
- Colorado Hispanic Bar Association—Board member
- National Hispanic Bar Association
- Denver Bar Association
Other Experience
- Curso Sobre Litigacion Oral—ABA Rule of Law Initiative—Ecuador—2010
- Indigent Defense—Lecture University of Colorado School of Law–2007
- Cultural Conflicts—State and Federal Pretrial Services—2003
- Federal Practice—2002 Colorado Criminal Defense Bar CLE
- Constitutional Considerations in Domestic Violence Cases—2001 Colorado Criminal Defense Bar CLE
- Evidentiary Objections—1999 Colorado State Public Defender Training
- Voir Dire—1997 Colorado State Public Defender Training
- Controlled Substance Case Defense—1997 Colorado State Public Defender Annual Conference
- Immigration Consequences of Criminal Pleas—1996 Colorado State Public Defender Annual Conference
- Demonstrative Evidence—1995 Colorado State Public Defender Annual Conference
