Wendy Williams Hires High-Profile Attorney Joe Tacopina in Ongoing Guardianship Fight

Former talk show host Wendy Williams has enlisted renowned attorney Joe Tacopina to represent her as she challenges a court-ordered guardianship that has controlled her personal and financial affairs since 2022.

Tacopina confirmed the news during an interview on NewsNation’s Banfield on April 3, saying, “Yes, I am representing her. I’m her personal attorney right now. I will be entering the case one way or another—it’s a convoluted process.” He added with a smile, “The last thing they want to do is see my face in that courtroom.”

Known for handling high-profile clients, Tacopina most recently represented rapper A$AP Rocky, securing a win in a felony assault trial. His client list also includes celebrities such as Swizz Beatz, Ne-Yo, Meek Mill, Michael Jackson, Alex Rodriguez, and former President Donald Trump.

Guardianship Battle Draws Public Scrutiny

Wendy Williams, 59, has been under a court-appointed guardianship since May 2022, with her affairs currently managed by Sabrina Morrissey, who was assigned by New York’s probate court. The arrangement, which Williams is now seeking to challenge, has limited her ability to make decisions about her finances, healthcare, and personal relationships.

According to her health advocate Ginalisa Monterroso, Williams cannot vote, choose her own doctor, control her finances, or even decide who can visit her without the permission of her guardian or Judge Lisa A. Sokoloff, who is overseeing her case.
“Somebody in prison has more rights than a person put under a guardianship,” Monterroso told People Magazine.

In recent weeks, supporters have gathered outside of Williams’ assisted living facility to demand her release, following a concerning note she reportedly dropped to paparazzi reading: “HELP! WENDY.” She also reportedly passed a capacity test, raising further questions about whether the guardianship remains necessary.

“A True Injustice,” Says Attorney

Tacopina first revealed his involvement in early March on the 2 Angry Men podcast, saying that Williams had reached out to him after he watched the Tubi documentary “Saving Wendy.”
“What I saw was a true injustice,” he said. “Murderers have more freedom than Wendy.”

Wendy Williams has previously spoken about how the guardianship was triggered in part by unauthorized spending from her Wells Fargo account, allegedly involving her son. The suspicious activity, coupled with concerns about her health, prompted the bank to freeze her accounts and alert the court, which then placed her under legal protection.

Now, with Tacopina at her side, Wendy Williams appears to be taking new steps to regain control of her life.