NEW YORK, NY (January 13, 2026) — New Rochelle resident Louis Apicella, known as Lou App, has retained New York-based criminal defense attorney Shakira A. Fantauzzi, Esq., whose unconventional Instagram presence stands out in the legal field, to represent him in the NBA poker case.
A recent federal court filing lists Fantauzzi as Attorney for Louis Apicella.
Fantauzzi intentionally departs from conventional paths in the legal profession. She has stated: “Nothing I’ve done on my journey as a lawyer has been the conventional way.”
Her Instagram feed blends legal professionalism with personal branding and lifestyle content. Posts feature vacation photos such as skiing trips, personal celebrations and fitness-related material, often separate from work-focused updates typical of traditional lawyer profiles.
Fantauzzi uses a direct and confident tone in captions, including phrases like “Just call me a Shark Unicorn” and “Justice isn’t a suggestion. And prison isn’t a metaphor. See you soon.”
She shares detailed accounts of her personal journey, such as overcoming fear to attend law school as a second career and winning a federal trial without her partner present.
The visual style of her posts highlights polished, modern outfits that embrace a “fashion lawyer” aesthetic rather than strictly traditional business attire.
Fantauzzi actively engages followers with personal anecdotes and inspirational content to build community, rather than limiting the platform to formal client acquisition or firm announcements.
Her approach reflects a growing trend among legal professionals who use social media for personal branding to reach modern clients and inspire aspiring lawyers, even as it breaks from established norms.
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.