Nick Reiner’s legal defense took an unexpected turn on Wednesday, Jan. 7, when his attorney abruptly withdrew from the case just moments into Reiner’s scheduled arraignment in Los Angeles.
Alan Jackson, the high-profile attorney who represented Reiner at his initial court appearance following his arrest, informed the judge that his legal team had “no choice” but to step away from the case. No specific reason was given in court for the sudden withdrawal. Reiner is now being represented by public defender Kimberly Greene.
Reiner has been accused of killing his parents, director Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner. During the brief court appearance, Reiner — dressed in a tan jail jumpsuit with a shaved head — did not enter a plea. The arraignment was postponed to Feb. 23.
After addressing the court, Jackson declined to explain the reason for his withdrawal but told reporters shortly afterward that his former client is “not guilty” of murder.
To help explain what may have prompted such a last-minute change in representation, PEOPLE spoke with Bobby Taghavi, managing partner at the Sweet James law firm, who is not involved in the case.
According to Taghavi, attorneys typically withdraw for a limited number of reasons. “Without speculating, attorneys withdraw for a few common reasons,” he said. “Most often it’s an ethical conflict that arises, a breakdown in the attorney-client relationship, or other confidential issues they can’t discuss publicly.”
He emphasized that a change in legal counsel should not be interpreted as an indication of guilt or innocence. “It usually means something shifted behind the scenes that required substitution,” Taghavi explained.
When asked whether the withdrawal could have been Jackson’s personal decision or tied to financial issues, Taghavi said both possibilities exist. “Sometimes it’s a strategy or relationship issue, other times it’s a conflict that requires recusal, and in some cases it’s financial if the fees can’t be maintained,” he said. “The most important point is we don’t know the specific reason unless it’s stated on the record.”
With a public defender now assigned, questions have also arisen about whether Reiner could later hire another private attorney. Taghavi noted that defendants can switch representation again if circumstances allow. “If he can’t afford private counsel, the court can appoint a public defender after reviewing financial eligibility,” he said. “He can also later retain private counsel if circumstances change.”
Speculation about whether the Reiner family declined to pay for Jackson’s services has circulated, but Taghavi cautioned against drawing that conclusion. “Lawyer withdrawals often have nothing to do with family funding,” he said. “They can be driven by conflicts or confidential issues. Even if a public defender is appointed, that reflects the court’s eligibility determination — not a confirmed family decision.”
The case remains ongoing, with Reiner’s next court appearance scheduled for late February.