Leslie Abramson

Leslie Abramson
Born	Leslie Hope Abramson (1943-10-06) October 6, 1943 Flushing, New York
Nationality	American
Alma mater	Queens College UCLA School of Law
Occupation	Attorney

Leslie Hope Abramson (born October 6, 1943) is an American criminal defense attorney best known for her role in the legal defense of Lyle and Erik Menendez.

Education

Born in Flushing, Queens, New York, Abramson graduated from Queens College, and in 1969 received a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from UCLA School of Law.

Career

Abramson was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1970. She began her career in the Los Angeles County Public Defender's office and developed a reputation as a fierce advocate for her clients.

She stirred controversy when it was revealed during the Menendez trial that she had Erik's psychiatrist delete and rewrite passages of the doctor's notes. When asked by the judge about it she twice invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. As a result, an investigation was launched by the state bar. Following a three-year investigation the state bar closed its case "after deciding that there was insufficient evidence to conclude she violated ethical rules in the Menendez brother's retrial."

In 2004, she was hired by Phil Spector, who was charged with fatally shooting actress Lana Clarkson at his suburban Alhambra, California mansion, replacing his former attorney, Robert Shapiro.