Nick Reiner to Be Represented by Public Defender After His High Profile Hollywood Lawyer Withdraws

The high-profile criminal case surrounding the murders of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner entered a new phase on Tuesday after their son, Nick Reiner, lost his private legal representation just days before a crucial court hearing.

Sources with direct knowledge of the case confirmed to TMZ that Nick Reiner's attorney, prominent defense lawyer Alan Jackson, has withdrawn from representing him. When Jackson appears in Los Angeles Superior Court for Reiner's arraignment, he is expected to formally notify the judge that he is stepping aside. For now, Reiner will be represented by a public defender, and no plea will be entered at this stage.

The sudden legal shift adds uncertainty to a case that has already sent shockwaves through Hollywood and the wider public. Nick Reiner, 32, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the December 2025 stabbing deaths of his parents at their Brentwood home in Los Angeles. Authorities have described the killings as violent, and prosecutors are still evaluating whether to pursue enhanced sentencing options as the case moves forward.

According to people close to the Reiner family, a public statement explaining Alan Jackson's withdrawal is expected to be released after court proceedings conclude. It remains unclear whether the public defender's role is temporary or whether Reiner will continue with court-appointed counsel moving forward.

Jackson's exit is notable given his recent legal success in other headline-making cases, including a major acquittal in the Karen Read trial in Boston. His departure has intensified speculation about the defense strategy in the Reiner case, particularly as questions surrounding Nick Reiner's mental health continue to surface.

Sources familiar with the investigation say Reiner has been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, a condition that combines symptoms of schizophrenia and mood disorders. Those sources allege that changes in his medication regimen in the weeks leading up to the killings may have contributed to erratic behavior. Legal observers expect that a not guilty by reason of insanity plea could eventually be pursued, though no formal plea has yet been entered.

Nick Reiner has been held without bail since his arrest and remains in custody as the case proceeds. The arraignment is expected to be continued, delaying the formal start of legal arguments while representation issues are resolved.

Originally published on Enstarz