Cosby replaces one L.A. defense lawyer with another

Bill Cosby replaced one of his defense attorneys Monday with another Los Angeles lawyer whose firm has represented celebrity clients.

Angela Agrusa of Liner L.L.P. will replace Christopher Tayback on Cosby's legal team in pending criminal and civil litigation, the entertainer's spokesman said Monday.

The reason for the change was unclear, as was whether it was initiated by Tayback or Cosby.

Agrusa has experience in civil litigation, according to a biography posted on her firm's website. Liner's clients have included the singer Blake Shelton and the actress Anna Nicole Smith.

In a statement released by Cosby's spokesman, Agrusa said she would work to protect the entertainer's rights. The media scrutiny Cosby has faced, she said, "runs directly counter to our judicial system's most fundamental guarantees of fairness under the law."

Cosby is awaiting trial in Montgomery County on aggravated indecent assault charges, and is involved in civil litigation with several of more than 50 women who have accused him of sexual misconduct.

Tayback had argued last week in court on behalf of Cosby, contending that accuser Andrea Constand should have been required to testify at the preliminary hearing that ended with Cosby's being held for trial. Judge Steven T. O'Neill rejected that argument.

On Monday, Tayback and Joseph Sarles, a colleague from his firm, Quinn, Emanuel, Urquhart & Sullivan, both filed withdrawal notices in federal court in Philadelphia for civil cases involving Cosby. Tayback did not respond to a request for comment.

Tayback began representing Cosby in a civil matter last year and appeared with his criminal defense team after he was charged in December for an alleged 2004 encounter with Constand at his Cheltenham home.

Cosby's criminal defense team still includes Washington-based lawyer Monique Pressley and Philadelphia criminal defense lawyer Brian McMonagle.

lmccrystal@phillynews.com

610-313-8116 @Lmccrystal