Who is Kimberly Greene? What to know about Nick Reiner's new lawyer

Kimberly Greene may be the new face on Nick Reiner's legal team, but this is hardly her first rodeo in the courtroom.

The Los Angeles-based attorney, who's served as a public defender in Southern California for nearly two decades, has joined the screenwriter's murder case after Reiner's previous lawyer, Alan Jackson, abruptly stepped down from the high-profile proceeding during a court hearing Wednesday, Jan. 7.

Reiner, son of acclaimed Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner, is facing two counts of first-degree murder with a special circumstance of multiple murders following the killing of his parents in December. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has accused Reiner of "fatally stabbing" the late couple.

After an initial delay in December, Reiner was set to be arraigned on Wednesday, a formal court process in which defendants are informed of the allegations against them and often enter a plea. However, Jackson's withdrawal from the case interrupted the proceeding.

In her first move as Reiner's attorney, Greene requested for Reiner's arraignment to be delayed to Feb. 23.

Here's everything you need to know about Greene.

How long has Kimberly Greene been a public defender?

After being admitted to the State Bar of California in June 2007, Greene began working as deputy public defender in the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office, according to Greene's official LinkedIn page. She has held the position for 19 years.

A public defender is a type of attorney that typically represents accused people who are unable to pay for their own legal counsel.

Where did Kimberly Greene go to school?

Prior to becoming a lawyer, Greene studied business administration and political science at the University of Miami, according to Greene's official LinkedIn page.

She earned a bachelor's degree of business administration after completing her program from 1999-2003.

Greene later headed to the west coast and enrolled at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, which she attended from 2003-2006.

Why is Kimberly Greene replacing Nick Reiner's attorney Alan Jackson?

Greene stepped in as Reiner's new lawyer after attorney Alan Jackson revealed in court on Wednesday that he was withdrawing from the high-profile murder case.

"We have no choice but to withdraw as counsel and ask to be removed," Jackson said in court after reminding Judge Theresa McGonigle of a discussion they had privately.

Jackson didn't explain what that discussion had involved or the reason for his withdrawal. USA TODAY has reached out to Jackson for comment.

Outside the courthouse, Greene made it clear this is far from the first time her office has replaced a private attorney.

"It's not uncommon for private counsel to turn over cases to us," Greene told the media. "Nothing about that would complicate the situation."

What has Kimberly Greene said about Nick Reiner case?

As for what kind of case Greene will build to defend Reiner, the legal tea leaves remain inconclusive.

After Wednesday's hearing, Greene said she hadn't spoken to Reiner's family and had only talked to the screenwriter briefly in the morning ahead of Jackson's withdrawal from the case.

"He was understanding that there was going to be a change in counsel," Greene said outside the courtroom. "We haven't had any in-depth conversation."

Contributing: Bryan Alexander, Aysha Bagchi, Taijuan Moorman and KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY