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Reality Shows Raise Special Concerns For Lawyers

By Rebecca Riddick
January 31, 2007

In his corporate suit, West Palm Beach attorney Steven S. Newburgh doesn't look like the type who hangs out with heavily tattooed artists. But Newburgh, an entertainment lawyer and partner at Fowler White Burnett, represents six cast members of the popular TLC cable-network reality show 'Miami Ink,' set at a Miami Beach tattoo parlor. Newburgh acts as a combination lawyer and manager, negotiating merchandising deals and working with the network and production companies on his clients' behalf. He also handles requests for their personal appearances.

TV reality shows, such as 'Miami Ink' and 'The Real World,' can present a unique problem for attorneys representing the casts. Unlike traditional entertainment clients, the cameras invade personal lives. When the cameras follow reality stars onto their real-life jobs, it can interfere with their ability to make a living. And because actors' union rules don't apply to reality-show participants, their attorneys must negotiate a balance of on- and off-camera time for their clients.

Miami, and South Florida as a whole, have become increasingly popular locations for reality and fiction TV shows. For example, MTV's show about fashion models, '8th and Ocean,' was shot in South Beach, and the Animal Planet cable channel has filmed 'Miami Animal Police' in Miami. John Bradley, an entertainment lawyer with Bradley & Robinson in Fort Lauderdale and chair of The Florida Bar's Entertain-ment, Arts and Sports Law Section, says reality shows work well in South Florida because of the unique backdrop.

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