Local attorney stars on court reality show ‘Relative Justice’
Rhonda Wills knows families have their ups and downs, and it’s all great — until someone defaults on a loan from a relative. Then there’s drama.
Wills, a Houston attorney, wife and mom of four teens, is hoping to heal families, end the drama and bring about justice as the star of a new court reality-TV show. “Relative Justice With Judge Rhonda Wills” airs at noon weekdays on CW39.
“When you’re dealing with families, the stakes are high,” Wills said. “This is the only court show that focuses on civil disputes among family members. I’m from a very large family, and we know family has become more important and even more fractured than ever during this pandemic. I hope to bring families together.”
Wills was tapped for the show in 2019 after she starred on the WE Network’s “Sisters in Law” reality show about a group of Black female attorneys in Houston. She was pegged as the diva of the group who wore Chanel and pampered her pups in an air-conditioned doghouse with a flat-screen television. She also appeared on Bravo’s reality show “The Million Dollar Matchmaker” in 2017 and has been a legal contributor on CNN.
“Relative Justice” is about justice and family, she said, so there’s no time for talk about designer clothes. Her wardrobe is simple: a black robe, a gavel and red lipstick.
Wills, who graduated from the University of Texas School of Law and practices at her Wills Law Firm in Houston, filmed 150 episodes of the show at the Wrigley Media Group studio in Kentucky. She said some of the cases originate from small-claims court, and others come from family members who apply to have their cases heard by Wills. The show often pays for their travel and hotel accommodations, as well as appearance fees.
“Relative Justice” was filmed under strict COVID-19 protocols, she said. All people involved were tested regularly, and audience members wore masks until the camera lights came on. Wills said there have been no incidences of positive COVID cases during the filming.
The variety of legal cases makes each episode exciting, she said. There’s even a pole dancer featured in one show.
“The show is endlessly fascinating because we can identify with some of the issues families deal with,” Wills said. “People are doing things that are so toxic. It’s been such a challenging time with the pandemic. We’ve learned to come together.”
Among her rules in dealing with family:
• If you borrow money, pay it back.
• Get everything in writing. • Resolve disputes right away. The longer an issue festers, the more fractured the family can become.
“Even when you are angry with family, you still have to value family and remember that you’ll have to see them at the family picnics and gatherings,” Wills said.