Amber Heard hires new lawyers in huge shake up ahead of Johnny Depp trial appeal-Rishma Dosani-Entertainment – Metro

Caption: Amber Heard to appeal ruling in libel case against Johnny Depp

Picture: Getty / AP

Amber Heard has had a huge shake-up of her legal team ahead of her appeal against Johnny Depp, with Elaine Bredehoft no longer on the case.

The Pirates of the Caribbean actor was victorious in his $50million defamation trial against his ex-wife earlier this year, following her op-ed for the Washington Post, in which she discussed her experiences with domestic abuse.

Although the 59-year-old wasn’t named in the 2018 piece, his lawyers argued that it implied he was sexually and physically abusive over the course of their relationship – something he has fiercely denied.

Following a bombshell trial at the Fairfax County Courthouse, the jury found in his favor and awarded him $10m, while the 36-year-old won one of her $100m countersuit claims and was given $2m.

Soon after the proceedings ended, Heard confirmed that she would be lodging an appeal, and has switched up her team in preparation for filing it.

The Justice League actress has hired Ballard Spahr as her lead counsel, led by David L Axelrod and Jay Ward Brown – who made headlines recently when they successfully defended The New York Times against Sarah Palin’s defamation lawsuit.

Elaine Bredehoft stepped down ahead of Heard’s appeal (Picture: AFP)

Ben Rottenborn, who was by Heard’s side throughout the trial, will be continuing to represent her as co-counsel, while Bredehoft has stepped down.

‘We welcome the opportunity to represent Ms Heard in this appeal as it is a case with important First Amendment implications for every American,’ Axelrod and Brown shared in a joint statement. 

‘We’re confident the appellate court will apply the law properly without deference to popularity, reverse the judgment against Ms Heard, and reaffirm the fundamental principles of Freedom of Speech.’

‘This is the perfect time to pass the baton,’ Bredehoft said. ‘I have pledged to Amber and her appellate team my complete cooperation and assistance as they move forward on a path towards success.

Depp’s team later filed their own paperwork after the appeal (Picture: AFP)

A spokesperson for Heard added in a statement: ’When it comes to protecting the fundamental right of Freedom of Speech, we look at the jury’s decision – to paraphrase a famous quote – not “as the beginning of the end, but merely the end of the beginning”.

‘A different court warrants different representation, particularly as so much new evidence is now coming to light.’

The legal battle between the former couple began in April, and was live-streamed on YouTube.

After six weeks of emotional testimony and expert witnesses, the jury were dismissed to deliberate, and returned with their verdict after just 13 hours of contemplation, finding in Depp’s favor.

Heard later filed a motion to appeal the verdict, with her lawyers submitting a notice in July claiming that errors were made, which prevented a ‘just and fair verdict’ being returned.

Less than 24 hours later, Depp’s attorneys followed suit and filed their own paperwork on the counterclaim.

‘Plaintiff and counterclaim-defendant John C Depp, II, by counsel, hereby appeals to the Court of Appeals of Virginia from all adverse rulings and from the final judgment order of this Circuit Court entered on June 24, 2022,’ the documents read.

His representative added: ‘The jury listened to the extensive evidence presented during the six-week trial and came to a clear and unanimous verdict that the defendant herself defamed Mr Depp in multiple instances.

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‘We remain confident in our case and that this verdict will stand.’

Depp’s lawyer, Camille Vasquez, appeared on CBS after the appeal was confirmed, and told Gayle King that they ‘absolutely’ have a plan in place to fight it.

‘Mr Depp ended up filing his own appeal so that the court could have the full record. And she insists on continuing to litigate this matter. We have to protect our client’s interest,’ she told the host.

‘We are just hopeful that the court will uphold the verdict, which we think was the right verdict, and allow both parties to move on.’

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