Your complete guide to Camille Vasquez
The true star of this defamation fiasco.
The true star of this defamation fiasco.
The world's most famous litigation lawyer has been promoted.
Johnny Depp's readily-objecting lawyer Camille Vasquez has been elevated to partner by her firm Brown Rudnick LLP.
Depp came out on top - at least on paper - in the blockbuster trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard last week when a seven-person jury found domestic abuse claims she made about him in an op-ed were defamatory. Heard was ordered to pay him $15m.
Heard was successful in one of three counts of defamation in her counter-lawsuit against Depp and was awarded $2m in damages.
Vasquez was known for being glamorous and ruthless attorney. Her interjection in Heard's defence with "objection, your honour" after "objection, your honour" has gone viral on TikTok.
Brown Rudnick LLP posted the news to LinkedIn and it received more than 34,000 likes. and more than 800 comments.
"She was a key member of the litigation team that won a jury verdict last week for actor Johnny Depp in his defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard," the post read.
"Historically, we have reserved this announcement for the end of our fiscal year. But Camille’s performance during the Johnny Depp trial proved to the world that she was ready to take this next step now," chief executive William Baldiga said.
Vasquez said she was "delighted".
The six-week defamation case arose out of a lawsuit Depp brought against Heard over a 2018 Washington Post piece, and exposed in excruciating detail the secret lives of some of the most famous names in Hollywood – with the public given a front-row seat to the drama thanks to the internet.
While the future of Heard and Depp's acting careers is uncertain, Vasquez has been flooded with offers from Hollywood and been at the centre of a bidding war with law firms, according to the New York Post.
Vasquez has reportedly received offers from several TV networks and cable channels.
"Camille is inarguably a great voice to weigh in on legal matters and networks are naturally chomping at the bit to speak with her about on-air opportunities,” a former network executive told the New York Post.
Camille Vasquez developed a fandom of her own
Depp-stans online have heaped praise on Vasquez "annihilation" of Heard's defence. Meanwhile, rumours flew that she was in a relationship with the Pirates of the Caribbean star. Vasquez denied these rumours outside the courtroom on one occasion.
Either way, her take-no-prisoners approach and sharp lines of questioning may well have righted the course for Team Depp to win the case. At least, that's what the internet seems to think.
Let's unpack the lady behind the power suit.
Who is Camille Vasquez?
Vasquez, 37, is an associate at high-profile law firm Brown Rudnick, which represented Depp in his case against Heard.
She specialises in litigation and arbitration, with a focus on plaintiff-side defamation cases, such as the current trial. Little is known about her previous cases.
Having graduated magna cum laude from the University of Southern Carolina, she was named “One to Watch” by The Best Lawyers in America for 2021-2022. Oh, and she speaks Spanish.
What has Camille Vasquez done in the Depp trial?
Made bank, apparently.
It is widely reported the attorney has a net worth of US$1.5m, and is set to rake in a lot more following Depp's win.
Other than being known as “the Queen of objections” who repeatedly interrupts Heard’s lawyers, Vasquez caught the eye of viewers when she cross-examined the actress.
She turned up for her cross-examination of Heard dressed in all white. Fitting, given that for Depp’s loyal followers she is the white knight who has ridden to save the actor whose case was seemingly on tenterhooks.
Vasquez’s line of questioning saw Heard admit she didn’t donate her US$7 million divorce settlement with Depp to the ACLU, despite promises to do so.
Vasquez: You still haven’t donated the $7m divorce settlement to charity. Isn't that right?
Heard: Incorrect, I pledged the entirely of the settlement $7m to charity-
Vasquez: Miss Head, that’s not my question
Heard: -I intend to fulfil those obligations
Vasquez: Miss Heard, that’s not my question. Please, try to answer my question.
Heard: What’s your question?
Vasquez: Sitting here today, you haven not donated the $7m - donated, not pledged, the $7m divorce settlement to charity?
The attorney also grilled Heard on whether she had edited photos of herself with bruises. Heard insisted she “never touched a photo”.
Vasquez also appeared to agitate the actress by suggesting Depp helped her get her role in “Aquaman.”
“No, Miss Vasquez. I got myself that role by auditioning,” Heard said.
What is the online peanut gallery saying?
They’re loving it.
Her pointed, rapid-fire questions have left Heard stunned, and footage of her crushing interruptions to the opposing legal team’s counter-attacks have amassed almost a billion views on TikTok.
Johnny-stans have declared Vasquez to be a “badass” or a “Queeeen”, often making comparisons between the attorney and Heard’s lawyer Elaine Bredehoft
At one point while Bredehoft was questioning Heard on the stand, Vasquez called multiple objections, leaving the lawyer so exasperated, she could only offer: “I’m trying, I’m trying.”
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