Alan Jackson Featured in Vanity Fair After Successful Karen Read Verdict
The July 7, 2025, edition of Vanity Fair features a striking profile of Alan Jackson, partner at the Los Angeles-based firm Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP, highlighting his extraordinary leadership in defending Karen Read.
The article, “We Brought to Light Some Very Uncomfortable Realities,” by Julie Miller, explores Jackson’s unwavering belief in Read’s innocence, his surgical courtroom strategy, and the wider implications of a case that shook the Massachusetts justice system.
From the start, Jackson was “supremely confident” the jury would not convict Read of the serious charges she faced: second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter while under the influence, and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. “Based on the evidence and the presentation and the defense we put together…it was not going to be guilty. It just couldn’t be,” Jackson told Vanity Fair.
And he was right.
A Case That Didn’t Add Up
Karen Read was facing charges in connection with the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe. After a previous mistrial, the murder and manslaughter charges against Read were soundly rejected in a second trial by a jury in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, on June 18, 2025.
Karen Read’s story began on a frigid January night in 2022 when O’Keefe was found dead outside a fellow officer’s home. Prosecutors alleged that Read had run him over with her Lexus SUV and fled the scene. But there were several inconsistencies that caught Jackson’s attention right away.
Autopsy photos showed injuries that were inconsistent with being struck by a vehicle. Curiously, the pictures also included what appeared to be a dog bite on O’Keefe’s arm and no significant bruising below the neck. “It just didn’t smell right,” Jackson told Vanity Fair. “I knew pretty quickly [that] some other forces are at play here to point the finger at her. And it’s because those forces want to point the finger away from somebody else.”
The Distinguished Legal Team Behind Karen Read’s Defense
Jackson led a formidable defense team that included Elizabeth Little, a fellow partner at Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP, as well as attorneys David Yannetti, Robert Alessi, and Victoria George.
Read’s legal team spent months building a case based on solid scientific and forensic evidence. Jackson used the inexplicable contradictions and omissions in the Commonwealth’s investigation to paint a picture of a law enforcement apparatus that was clearly out of control. Jackson’s approach emphasized the many questions that law enforcement either didn’t ask or ignored entirely.
During the first trial, Jackson’s interrogation of then-State Trooper Michael Proctor revealed that the detective decided Read was guilty within 16 hours of the event, before he even set foot on the crime scene.
Prosecutors opted not to call Proctor in the second trial, a move Jackson seized upon: “You were so embarrassed of Michael Proctor you couldn’t even put him on the stand.”
Proctor has since been relieved of duty for his handling of the case.
A Public Rebuke for a Dysfunctional Legal System
For Jackson, this trial wasn’t just about one client; it was about exposing deeper flaws in the Massachusetts justice system. “We brought to light some very, very, very uncomfortable realities about the Massachusetts justice system, and those realities need to be addressed,” Jackson told Vanity Fair.
So far, the impact has been enormous. The case dominated national headlines, spurred online discourse, and drew millions of viewers to courtroom live streams. Prosecutors and police departments across the country took note, as few trials have generated as much scrutiny or captured public imagination to this degree.
Alan Jackson’s Magnum Opus
Being in the limelight isn’t a new experience for Jackson, who has tried many high-profile cases in the past. Working as a Los Angeles County DA, Jackson successfully prosecuted music producer Phil Spector for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson.
Now a criminal defense attorney for Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP, Jackson has defended clients in several notable cases, including his work for Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey.
Despite this impressive record, Jackson considers the Karen Read trial to be the “magnum opus” of his career.
Thanks to Alan Jackson’s striking intellect, charisma, and courtroom dominance, he is feared by prosecutors, trusted by clients, and respected by juries. Jackson’s role in the Read case may one day inspire its own legal drama, with Hollywood already seeking book and film rights from Jackson and Read.
Speak With Our Proven Criminal Defense Attorneys in Los Angeles
The Karen Read trial reminds all of us about how easily lives can be upended by flawed investigations and careless prosecutors who rush to judgment. When your freedom is on the line, you need more than a defense. You need a legal team that will question everything, expose hidden truths, and fight for you with every legal tool available.
At Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP, you’re not just hiring one attorney. You’re gaining the combined strength of a nationally recognized law firm with decades of courtroom experience. From high-stakes federal matters to headline-making murder trials, we are ready to take on the toughest cases anywhere in the country.
If you’re facing criminal charges, don’t wait. Call our notable law firm today at (213) 688-0460 to schedule a consultation. We’re not just defense lawyers. We’re trial attorneys who know how to win.
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What Our Clients Say
Previous Testimonial Next Testimonial- “Alan Jackson is hands down the best attorney we have worked with. Extremely professional, well liked in the court system and respected amongst all legal professionals. Took our calls at any given time and made himself available all the time.” - S.F. From Google Reviews
- “Perpetually impressed by the professionalism, thoroughness, follow through, and expertise that Mark Werksman, his fellow partners, and associates / admin staff all produce whenever I interact with them, professionally.” - Dru S.
- “Kelly is a brainiac. She's a certified criminal law appellate specialist - a rare achievement and qualification- and she fits into a very unique niche in criminal law. Her primary role at her firm (one of, if not THE best criminal defense firm in los angeles) is research and writer...” - Joseph W.
- “Having Alan Jackson as my lead attorney on 3 separate cases (one felony, and two misdemeanors) was the best decision of my life. I was facing 6-8 years in prison, and he was able to have all three charges dismissed. He's got the skills, connections, and the charisma to aid anyone in any situation...” - Anonymous