Who We Are

Chris Carlisle

Dad, husband, attorney, and (if you ask opposing counsel) a pain in the neck.

Chris is a founding partner of Carlisle + Byers, and his passion for representing injured workers and accident survivors rarely takes a second seat to anything other than his wife Amy and their four kids. A scout leader, sports coach, and community supporter – he’s the guy knocking on his neighbor’s doors with an extra generator when the power is out, or following his snow shovel up and down the entire block before most people are even awake. Chris has a deep commitment to his family and friends.

Chris graduated high school in the Tri-Cities (go Falcons!) and went on to receive his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Seattle University and his Juris Doctor from Gonzaga Law. He’s is a member of the Washington State Bar Association, Washington Association for Justice, and works with the Housing Justice project providing free representation to tenants in disputes with their landlords. As an attorney, Chris doesn’t hear the word “no” as a problem, but rather as a challenge, and he doesn’t run away from the tough cases. In fact (at times to his partner’s chagrin) Chris often seeks them out, especially if the cause is just.

Rich Byers

No stranger to twisting wrenches, loading car batteries on pallets and even pressure-washing garbage trucks, Rich put himself through school starting at Spokane Falls Community College, then going on to graduate with a double concentration in Marketing and Communication/Media Methods from Gonzaga University. In 2010, Rich earned his Juris Doctor from Gonzaga Law and founded Carlisle + Byers with Chris Carlisle in 2013.

During law school, Rich saw his father drawn into a lengthy and unjustified battle resulting from an injury on the job, which forced him to retire after 32 years of devout work as a laborer for Washington State. Having a front-row seat to the Labor and Industries process gave Rich a unique perspective on the L and I system. He knows what it really means to suffer an injury that can disrupt your life, cause anxiety, depression, and a loss of your identity as a worker in addition to physical damage.

Ask his clients you’re likely to hear a consistent theme – Rich doesn’t mince words. He will give you a straightforward assessment of your legal situation without glossing over or shying away from the tough parts where he sees them.

As an attorney and small business owner (and male pattern baldness survivor), Rich wears many hats. His favorites by far are husband to Sarah and parent to two awesome boys.