Shawn C. Holley

LSANTA MONICA - Shawn C. Holley began her career as a Los Angeles County deputy public defender before joining the Cochran Firm, where she was a managing partner of the L.A. office and a member of O.J. Simpson's legal defense team. She is the rare trial attorney who practices in both civil and criminal litigation.

LWhile Holley represents ordinary citizens, she is known for representing celebrity clients, including Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Kim Kardashian, Snoop Dogg, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. When representing celebrities, the main goal is often to keep matters out of the public eye. Her most successful matters, she said, are the ones that never see the light of day. Still, that can be difficult in an era of celebrity culture and social media.

LHolley is currently involved in several highly publicized cases, including representing actor Shia LaBeouf in an ongoing civil case filed by English singer FKA Twigs, who is accusing the actor of sexual battery, assault and infliction of emotional distress. The trial has been set for April. Holley also represents rap artist Tory Lanez, who has been accused of shooting rapper Megan Thee Stallion in a criminal case. Lanez has pleaded not guilty to felony assault and carrying an unregistered firearm. That trial was scheduled to start Sept. 14.

L"There's such a compelling 'other side of the story' that really can't be told until the trial, so it makes it difficult to sit back and feel the weight of all of the negative press and commentary against these people," Holley said. "I don't want to lump them together, but the truth is that often in these cases, you kind of have to suck it up because to comment too much publicly before trial carries a lot of issues and problems. You have to just exercise patience, and know that a day of reckoning will come."

LWith her proximity to fame and handling of cases that capture the public's attention, it's no surprise that Hollywood has taken notice. An upcoming television series, "Reasonable Doubt," inspired by Holley's experiences as a defense attorney, will premiere on Hulu on Sept. 27