Complex cases, high-profile and high-stakes. These types of cases have been Stacy Bettison’s bread and butter over the years. Bettison can represent clients in civil litigation, criminal prosecutions, enforcement actions or any other issues involving bet-the company that require a “handler”.
Bettison studied two fields that she is passionate about – communications and legal advocacy – and has developed the expertise to assist individuals and companies through their most challenging moments.
As the owner of Bettison PR, she supports clients with crisis-communications consulting and reputation management. Kelley, Wolter & Scott, P.A. Bettison is an attorney at Kelley, Wolter & Scott, P.A.
In her role as a crisis-communications expert, Bettison’s primary objective is to mitigate her client’s risk and protect their reputation. Bettison is often called upon by clients who need immediate assistance because their problem is imminent or has been covered in the media. These urgent matters demand a strategic analysis that is both quick and thorough. It must take into consideration the client’s long-term as well as short-term goals.
“This can often involve putting out the fire but also making sure that we are ready for future fires.” Bettison can help clients stay out of traditional and social media. The old saying “No news is bad news” could not be truer here. When possible, I work for it.”
Kelley Wolter’s client representations are complex and often require extensive legal analysis.
Bettison’s career came full circle in 2019 when, after focusing for several years on crisis-communications consulting, she joined Kelley Wolter. Bettison had worked for the firm as a clerk during law school so she was familiar with their unique practice, which includes multi-year, headline-making cases. Kelley Wolter is not only known for high-profile cases but also for obtaining results that preserve reputations, minimize public fallout, hence its tagline, “Much of the best work we do never makes the news.”
“Most Kelley Wolter cases are high-stakes, which compliments the work I have been doing at Bettison.”
Complex civil litigation is the firm’s main focus. These cases are usually argued in federal courts, which raises many questions about federal jurisdiction and constitutional laws. A large area of practice is civil enforcement actions by government agency, which can expose clients to large monetary penalties and fines.
These cases can be very complicated, but we thrive on them. This is what we love. It’s extremely rewarding to work with a firm that handles such complex legal issues and intellectually challenging work.
Bettison describes her Kelley Wolter colleagues as genuine, smart, and ethical. We have a remarkable synergy because of our diverse backgrounds and experiences. She says that she thinks we all enjoy the intellectual rigor required by our cases. It’s an honor working with them and doing really great work for our clients.
Bettison PR represents individuals and businesses from a variety of industries in Minnesota. She brings legal insight and purposeful words to civil and criminal cases. She works with a select group of legal, media, and marketing professionals to craft messages that transform potentially devastating crises into manageable events.
Bettison is a seasoned litigator who has more than 20 years of experience. She understands the complex legal issues that her clients face and can help them to resolve them. Bettison has been a defense counsel in civil and criminal litigation. She represents clients in a variety of criminal cases, government investigations, and regulatory compliance issues. Her 17 years of legal experience gives her an advantage in crisis management. She has a proven track record of helping clients survive and triumph over media trials.
Lawyers who represent high-profile clients will find it invaluable to have a legal friend managing their PR interests. Bettison is well-known for quickly grasping complex issues, asking the right questions, and finding solutions. Bettison’s knowledge and experience in law makes her sensitive to the client’s situation and helps them protect their legal rights. This is something she considers when she creates a PR strategy.
“Being a practicing attorney, it is possible to spot legal issues before they arise. The attorney is able to see the issues ahead of time and not have to manage their PR person. Sometimes we work together to think things through. My goal is to make it easier for attorneys so that they can concentrate less on the media circus and more on their clients’ legal needs.
Bettison recognizes that there may be some concerns about having their clients hire a PR representative, or hiring one for their own purposes. This could lead to them being unable to focus on their case. She says, “It comes from not understanding the capabilities of someone like me.” My purpose is to assist attorneys in helping their clients succeed. I don’t want to be a burden on anyone or confuse a case from an legal perspective. My role is to communicate and think about the bigger vision. This includes providing support for the attorney and client in business strategy. I fill in the gaps and offer my opinions on legal matters only if asked.
Bettison is a public sector worker, despite the demands of her private practice. As an assistant public defense for the Veterans Treatment Court for Carver, and Dakota County, she is currently serving. I feel honored to assist veterans in the resolution of their legal issues and making them stronger. Although it’s hard work for vets, the benefits are that they can clear their criminal records.” She mentions that her former Army Rangers colleagues, Brett Kelley (left) and Doug Kelley (right), support her work at Veterans Treatment Court.
Stacy L. Bettison feels a deep sense of gratitude when she looks back on her career. “I work with the most talented people, both lawyers and clients. I am grateful for the opportunity to do the work I do everyday with people who trust me to help with important issues. It is an incredible privilege to be a part of this community.