Nick Reiner’s former attorney says a dispute over legal funding led to his departure from the high-profile murder case. Certainly, it was not a lack of willingness to defend his client. New court filings reveal that attorney Alan Jackson is prepared to return to the defense team.
However, it will be possible if the financial issues surrounding Reiner’s trust fund can be resolved. The latest development has already grabbed significant public attention for the case.
Alan Jackson is prepared to defend Nick Reiner if funding becomes available to pay him
According to documents obtained by TMZ, Jackson filed a declaration supporting Nick Reiner’s effort to gain access to trust funds he says are needed to pay for private legal representation.
Reiner was charged in late 2025 with the murders of his parents, filmmaker Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner. Shortly after his arrest, Jackson was retained to represent him, and then he eventually withdrew from the case. A public defender was later assigned.
Now, Jackson is shedding light on what he claims happened behind the scenes. In his declaration, the veteran defense attorney said he was contacted shortly after Reiner’s arrest and told there was an urgent need for representation. Although he was out of California and had not yet been paid, Jackson said he immediately started reviewing the case and working with family representatives.
According to the filing, Reiner’s siblings, Jake and Romy Reiner, allegedly participated in discussions and verbally agreed to act as third-party payors for the defense.
Jackson stated, “Had I not received assurances that funding would be provided, I would not have diverted these firm resources, interrupted existing professional commitments, or directed my firm to undertake the extensive work described above on the same basis.”
The situation reportedly changed weeks later. Jackson claims he was informed in late December that the anticipated third-party funding would not be available after all. Without a payment structure in place, his firm ultimately withdrew from representing Reiner.
Despite that setback, Jackson made clear in the filing that he remains willing to return. He stated that Reiner has expressed a desire to have his former attorney back on the case and that he has informed the trustee he is open to alternative fee arrangements if funding becomes available.
TELL US – SHOULD DEFENDANTS BE ABLE TO ACCESS TRUST FUNDS TO PAY FOR PRIVATE LEGAL COUNSEL IN CRIMINAL CASES?
Originally reported by Vanshika Vasundhare Singh on Reality Tea
