To Expand Client Base, Atlanta Lawyer Joins Singer Toni Braxton's Family-Oriented Reality Show
An Atlanta attorney appearing in a promotional teaser for a recently launched reality show has already garnered the attention of prospective clients.
Antavius M. Weems is raising his profile through his involvement with a reality show centering on Grammy award-winning singer Toni Braxton and her family. Weems, who represented Braxton family members in various legal matters and plays himself on the reality show, said prospective clients have already called him since Braxton Family Values premiered last week, Law.com reports.
But the lawyer’s foray into reality television is not without its risks. “I’m taking a calculated risk that I will be viewed in a light favorable to me and my brand,” Weems said, according to the site. But Toni Braxton is able to preview of a rough cut of each episode, and Weems, as Braxton’s attorney, is able to watch those rough cuts with her. “I do get to control to some extent what people are going to see, since Toni gives final approval,” Weems said.
Weems not only has to worry about how he is perceived by the public; he must also tackle the legal ethics issues that arise when taping the show. “You’ve got to be really careful when you are putting yourself in front of the camera with your client. Your client can waive attorney-client privilege—but you can’t,” he said.
An eight-episode season has been filmed, with Weems appearing in episodes that address several family members’ legal woes. The show airs on WE tv.
