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.30, No. 36 May 6, 2002 http://www.masslawycrsweekly.com

TV PERSONALITY Westwood attorney William B2 D. Kickham talks about his "other career" as host of the cable FACE television program "At The Bar." In this week's Hearsay column.

LW: What on your show receives the most feed­ WILLIAM D. KICKHAM back? WK: Auto accidents, buying and selling a home, Executive producer, host, "At the Bar" marital and domestic relations. William D. Kickham has hosted the cable TV pro­ gram "At the Bar " in the suburban Boston market for LW: Why should people tune into "At the Bar? " the past eight years. The Westwood attorney has also WK: 's fun to watch — something that won't bore worked in conjunction with "60 Minutes" and Court them. It's practical. News you can use or opinions you TV, briefing researchers and producers on legal matters can refuse. and high-profile trials. * * * LW: How much of your time is spent practicing law LW: How did you get involved w.tth the program? versus "At the Bar"? WK: When I moved to Westwood eight years ago, WK: 1 can't practice full time because of the show. I the community didn't have anything on the local Ca- would say at least 50 percent of my time is put into the hlevision broadcasting network on law and legal is­ show, from researching story ideas and fact-checking sues, so I presented "At the Bar" and they loved it. to booking and talking to guests.

LW; How far would you tike to take the showf LW: If you could interview any lawyer, who would WK: It's something I do as a sidebar, but I'd like to it be? take it to a paid position either with a network or as a WK: On a local level, Boston lawyer and CourtTV regional position, and practice legal journalism full- correspondent Rikki Klieman, and on a national level, time. Cliris Ford or Dan Abrams at NBC, or Cynthia McFad- den at ABC. They are all incredible legal journalists. LW: What do you think of some of the other legal programs on television, such as "People's Court"? Do LW: What doors have been opened for you as a re­ you watch them to see what they're doing, or do you sult of hosting the showf follow your own formula? WK: I've been asked to be on Court TV and I've met WK: I watch the competition to see what they're do­ several prominent legal figures. It's a kick to say that, ing. Although it seems staged, "People's Court" helps when I go to the store, people recognize me. the average viewer understand what the theories of li­ ability are for common everyday things.