High-profile defense attorney Alan Jackson dodged becoming a “pariah in Hollywood” by dropping Nick Reiner as he faces accusations he killed his famous mom and dad, insiders said Thursday.
Jackson abruptly quit the case Wednesday without an explanation beyond telling reporters he was legally and ethically barred from “explaining all the reasons” why — but whatever drove his decision he won’t be ruffling any feathers of film and TV royalty during a trial in the murders of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Reiner.
“The backlash is he becomes a pariah in Hollywood because Michele and Rob were beloved. There would be a real chance Hollywood business would dry up,” legal expert Royal Oaks told the Post.
Jackson could have been thinking more about his “reputation than money,” Oaks said — noting Hollywood A-listers have a small crew of influential attorneys they’d turn to if they run into legal trouble.
“You can count the number of those lawyers on one hand, Alan is on the list,” said Oaks, who isn’t involved in the Reiner case. “You know you’re a pariah in Hollywood when you fall off the short list, you’re on that list or your not. You’re going to know you’re off the list when the phone stops ringing.”
Nick Reiner’s trial could also mean celebrities taking the stand, which means the accused killer’s attorney might have to ask tough questions. That could turn him into a bad guy in the eyes of TV and film elite, another attorney said.
“You are on the wrong side of this whole thing in terms of the facts and popularity.” the attorney, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Post.
One potential scenario would be comedian Conan O’Brien taking the stand because the Reiners attended a Christmas party at the comedian’s house hours before the murders.
Guests wanted to call 911 on Nick Reiner as he was involved in a long argument but O’Brien allegedly told the celeb-filled crowd “It’s my house, my party, I’m not calling the police,” reports said.
“Just imagine Jackson’s cross examination — ‘Nick needed help and had a chance to get it, we need the police, and no police, they resisted it,’” Oaks said.
“If Alan Jackson went ballistic, his name could be mud in Tinsel Town,” he added.
And there’s the possibility that the victims may have had “shade” thrown their way as part of the defense, Oaks added — which would further drive Jackson out of the inner circle.
There has been speculation he bowed out due to his high price tag, or because of an undisclosed conflict of interest. But Jackson’s partner in the highly watched Karen Read case said saving his reputation would never have been his motivation for stepping aside.
“I’m sure this is a decision Alan didn’t take lightly,” said David Yannetti, who hasn’t spoken to his partner on the decision. “It’s always difficult, it’s our job to help others.”
He also pointed out the reasons that attorney’s usually drop cases including, conflict of interests, a breakdown in attorney and client relations and for financial purposes. Jackson takes his job very seriously, he added.
“I had a front row seat for three and a half years,” Yannetti said. “He takes the ethics of this profession very seriously. We take these cases not because they’re hard, not easy.”
