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Who Is Alan Jackson? Inside the High-Profile Attorney Representing Nick Reiner
Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of late filmmaker Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, has enlisted one of the most high-profile criminal defense attorneys in the country as he faces accusations in connection with his parents’ deaths.
Defense attorney Alan Jackson confirmed Tuesday morning that he is representing Reiner, telling reporters outside Los Angeles Superior Court that his client would not appear in court as scheduled because he had not yet been medically cleared.
Reiner was arrested following the deaths of his parents on Sunday, Dec. 14. Rob, 78, and Michele, 68, were found dead inside their Brentwood, Los Angeles, home by their 28-year-old daughter Romy, sources told PEOPLE. Hours later, Nick was taken into custody near the University of Southern California campus. Jackson said Reiner is currently being held without bail at Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles.
Who Has Alan Jackson Represented?
Jackson is widely known for handling some of the most closely watched criminal cases in recent years. A partner at Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP, he previously represented Kevin Spacey in a Massachusetts groping case that was later dismissed after the accuser dropped their civil complaint. He also helped secure an acquittal for Karen Read, who had been charged with murdering her police officer boyfriend in Massachusetts.
Jackson was also part of the defense team for Harvey Weinstein during the disgraced producer’s California rape trial. Weinstein was ultimately convicted and sentenced to 16 years in prison. Earlier in his career, Jackson worked on the prosecution side, serving as Assistant Head Deputy of the Major Crimes Division at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. During that time, he successfully prosecuted record producer Phil Spector for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson.
Over the course of his career, Jackson has tried more than 85 cases to jury verdict and has been named one of California’s Top 100 Lawyers.
Details on the Case
Nick has long been open about his struggles with addiction, including repeated stints in rehab and periods of homelessness. Those experiences later informed the semi-autobiographical 2015 film Being Charlie, which Nick co-wrote and Rob Reiner directed. His struggles appeared to continue in later years, with Nick admitting on a 2018 podcast that he trashed his parents’ guesthouse during a drug-fueled bender.
The night before Rob and Michele were found dead, the couple and Nick attended comedian Conan O’Brien’s Christmas party, where multiple sources telling People that Rob and Nick got into a “big” and “loud” argument. One source described Nick’s behavior as “freaking everyone out.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, authorities had not formally filed charges. Jackson told reporters he did not know what medical issue prevented Reiner’s court appearance, but said his client is expected to appear later this week.
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