Lawyer who led Karen Read’s criminal defense joins her in civil suit
Alan Jackson, the prominent defense attorney who led Karen Read 's defense team during her criminal trials , announced Tuesday that he would represent Read in the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of her boyfriend, John O'Keefe.
Read, 45, was acquitted of all charges connected to the death of O'Keefe, a Boston Police officer, in June following her second trial. She was convicted solely of operating under the influence, for which she received a year of probation.
But Read still faces a civil case brought by the family of O'Keefe that accuses her of causing his death. The civil case was largely paused during the criminal proceeding but is expected to move forward now that the trial is over.
Jackson made the announcement on the Greg Hill Show Tuesday morning , adding Elizabeth Little, a partner at his law firm who also represented Read, would join the civil team as well.
In a brief statement provided to Boston 25 News , Jackson said he was proud to stand with Little as they joined Read in her "relentless pursuit of justice.
"Karen's courage in confronting abuse of power and demanding the truth is unwavering — and so are we. This fight isn't over. Not until every lie is exposed in every wrong is made right," he told the station.
Jackson was instrumental in pushing Read's claim that she was being framed for O'Keefe's death. Prosecutors claimed Read hit O'Keefe with her car on Jan. 29, 2022, outside the Canton home of a fellow Boston Police officer.
But Jackson and other members of Read's defense claimed she was the victim of a widespread law enforcement conspiracy that set her up.
Since Jackson and Little are both based in California, one of the Massachusetts-based attorneys on Read's civil team will need to ask a judge to allow them to represent Read. Such motions are typically allowed.
Thus far, Read has hired six lawyers to represent her in the civil action, not counting Jackson or Little.
Damon Seligson , Charles Waters and Aaron D. Rosenberg , who work at the firm Sheehan Phinney , all joined Read's defense team last month, according to court filings.
They joined three lawyers from the firm Melick & Porter , who already represented Read: Christopher George, William L. Keville Jr. and Marissa K. Palladini.
The civil case is pending in Plymouth Superior Court. A hearing is scheduled for Sept. 22.
More about the case
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