Leslie Hope Abramson is an American criminal defense attorney best known for her role in the legal defense of Lyle and Erik Menendez

Lyle and Erik Menendez

Joseph Lyle Menendez and Erik Galen Menendez are brothers who are known for their conviction in a highly publicized trial for the shotgun murders in 1989 of their wealthy parents, entertainment executive Jose Menendez and his wife Mary "Kitty" Menendez , residents of Beverly Hills, California...

.

She stirred controversy when it was revealed during the Menendez trial she had Erik's psychiatrist delete and rewrite passages of his notes. When asked by the Judge about it she twice invoked her Fifth Amendment

Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution

The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which is part of the Bill of Rights, protects against abuse of government authority in a legal procedure. Its guarantees stem from English common law which traces back to the Magna Carta in 1215...

 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 brothers retrial."

In 2004, she was hired by Phil Spector

Phil Spector

Phillip Harvey "Phil" Spector is an American record producer and songwriter, later known for his conviction in the murder of actress Lana Clarkson....

, who was charged with fatally shooting actress Lana Clarkson

Lana Clarkson

Lana Jean Clarkson was an American actress and fashion model. Clarkson was a native of Los Angeles County. She played roles in science fiction and fantasy movies. She was murdered by songwriter and producer Phil Spector, who was convicted of the crime on April 13, 2009.-Early life:Born in Long...

 at his suburban Alhambra, California mansion, replacing his former attorney, Robert Shapiro.

She graduated from Queens College and in 1969 received a Juris Doctor

Juris Doctor

Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...

 (J.D.) from UCLA School of Law

UCLA School of Law

The UCLA School of Law is the law school of the University of California, Los Angeles. It has been approved by the American Bar Association since 1950. It joined the Association of American Law Schools in 1952.- History :...

. Abramson was admitted to the California State Bar in 1970. She began her career in the Los Angeles Public Defender

Public defender

The term public defender is primarily used to refer to a criminal defense lawyer appointed to represent people charged with a crime but who cannot afford to hire an attorney in the United States and Brazil. The term is also applied to some ombudsman offices, for example in Jamaica, and is one way...

's office and developed a reputation as a fierce advocate for her clients.