At a Glance
- Celebrity attorney Alan Jackson has abruptly withdrawn as counsel for Nick Reiner, who faces two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner
- Jackson cited “circumstances beyond Nick’s control” but insists the 27-year-old is “not guilty”
- A public defender will now represent Nick at his rescheduled arraignment on February 23
- Why it matters: The switch removes a high-profile litigator known for winning seemingly unwinnable cases, reshaping the legal battle that has gripped Hollywood
On January 7, Alan Jackson stood before a Los Angeles judge and announced he had “no choice” but to quit as Nick Reiner’s lawyer, just weeks after publicly confirming the representation outside court on December 16.
The Exit
Jackson, a partner at Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP, did not detail the reasons for his withdrawal, saying he was “legally and ethically prohibited” from explaining. He did assert that he and his team “remain deeply committed to Nick Reiner” and believe the “legal process will reveal the true facts.”
Nick, now represented by public defender Kimberly Greene, left the courtroom without entering a plea; his arraignment has been moved to February 23.
Jackson’s Track Record
Jackson, who once prosecuted music producer Phil Spector for the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office, later transitioned to private practice and earned a 96 percent trial success rate with more than 85 jury verdicts.
His recent headline clients include:
- Karen Read – acquitted in June 2025 of murdering her police-officer boyfriend
- Kevin Spacey – sexual-assault case dismissed after the accuser dropped the civil complaint
- Harvey Weinstein – convicted in L.A. of rape and sentenced to 16 years
A Twist of Inspiration
In a 2025 Vanity Fair interview, Jackson said Rob Reiner’s 1992 film A Few Good Men inspired him to become a lawyer. He described watching Tom Cruise’s Lt. Kaffee as a motivating force during his defense of Karen Read, calling the movie a frequent morale boost.
Key Takeaways
- Jackson’s departure leaves Nick Reiner with a public defender weeks before arraignment
- No plea has been entered; the court date is now February 23
- Jackson maintains Nick is “not guilty” but says outside forces ended his representation
- The Reiner family stated they trust the legal process and will not comment further
