Johnny Depp lawyer is fast-tracked to accomplice after Heard trial win

Legal professional Camille Vasquez and actor Johnny Depp pay attention throughout actor’s defamation case towards ex-wife, actor Amber Heard, within the courtroom on the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, US, Might 23, 2022. Steve Helber/Pool by way of REUTERS

(Reuters) – Legislation agency Brown Rudnick has promoted its affiliate Camille Vasquez to accomplice, lower than every week after she helped actor Johnny Depp safe a $15 million jury verdict in his carefully watched defamation trial towards his ex-wife Amber Heard.

Vasquez grew to become the general public face of Depp’s authorized crew over the course of the televised six-week trial and drew reward for her efficiency. The crew was led by Brown Rudnick accomplice Benjamin Chew and included 9 different attorneys. However Vasquez emerged as a serious participant, cross-examining Heard and telling jurors throughout closing arguments that Heard was the abuser within the relationship.

Brown Rudnick chairman William Baldiga stated in a press release Tuesday that the agency usually promotes companions when its fiscal 12 months ends.

“However Camille’s efficiency throughout the Johnny Depp trial proved to the world that she was able to take this subsequent step now,” he stated.

Vasquez was not instantly out there for remark however stated in a press release that she is “delighted” to have the agency’s “full vote of confidence.”

Legislation agency recruiters and consultants stated elevating Vasquez to accomplice at 250-lawyer Brown Rudnick – a title that usually contains an possession stake, more cash and higher affect – was logical for the agency, given her newly raised profile.

“I count on that she could be a scorching prospect coming off of her crew’s win within the Depp case, and the extent of publicity she personally acquired,” stated Kate Reder Sheikh, a accomplice at authorized recruiting agency Main, Lindsey & Africa.

Vasquez was probably already on the partnership monitor and acting at a excessive degree to be assigned to the Depp case, stated Beth Cavagnolo of regulation agency consultancy Vertex Advisors.

“In a state of affairs like this, there’s completely a warfare for expertise, and I am certain it was very a lot a retention measure for Ms. Vasquez,” Cavagnolo stated of the promotion.

Vasquez joined Brown Rudnick’s Orange County workplace in 2018, specializing in plaintiff-side defamation fits. She was beforehand an affiliate at Manatt, Phelps, & Phillips.

Depp, 58, sued Heard for $50 million and argued that she defamed him when she referred to as herself “a public determine representing home abuse” in a newspaper opinion piece. Heard countersued for $100 million, saying Depp smeared her when his lawyer referred to as her accusations a “hoax.”

Jurors on June 1 awarded Depp $15 million in damages from Heard, which the decide decreased to $10.35 million to adjust to state limits on punitive damages. The panel ordered Depp to pay Heard $2 million in damages.

A lawyer for Heard stated final week that she deliberate to enchantment the jury’s defamation discovering.

Learn extra:

Depp scores near-total victory in US defamation case towards ex-wife Heard

Johnny Depp’s legal professionals to renew questioning of Amber Heard in defamation combat

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