Johnny Depp may have met and fallen for Joelle Rich, his lawyer from his libel case against UK publication the Sun in 2020. Page Six reports the actor as dating Joelle.
Rich did not represent actor Ben Affleck during his successful US defamation trial against Amber Heard; she instead stood outside and inside courthouse as she showed support for her friend.
Who is Joelle Rich?
Joelle Rich is an attorney working at Schillings Partners. According to her company profile, she assists individuals and families who find themselves under scrutiny by protecting their privacy and reputation both inside and outside courtrooms.
Reports indicate she represented Meghan Markle against the Mail on Sunday newspaper in 2018. The Duchess of Sussex sued them for publishing a personal letter she sent to her father; ultimately her case against them was won successfully.
She wasn’t officially part of Depp’s legal team during his defamation trial against Amber Heard, but made several appearances to show support at Virginia courthouse in Fairfax County to show solidarity with Heard’s attorney Camille Vasquez and four days later was seen leaving together with them both.
She and Jonathan married in 2011 and are currently divorcing after nearly 10 years together.
What’s her background?
Depp engaged in a high-profile defamation case against former partner Amber Heard after she wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post regarding domestic abuse. Although Heard did not directly identify Depp by name, a jury determined it to be “substantially true” that Depp physically and sexually abused Heard during their 14-month marriage – awarding Depp $10 Million; Heard was compensated with $2 Million as her countersuit claim award.
Camille Vasquez represented Depp during court proceedings, but sources reported Rich was present as personal support. Rich was seen touching Depp’s face upon exiting from courthouse, prompting speculation of romantic relations; later however she denied such reports as being “sexist.”
Depp has since moved on and appears to have found someone new: Joelle Rich of London-based legal practice is said to be dating the actor; Rich was part of Depp’s legal team in his lawsuit against The Sun for calling him a wife beater; though Depp lost this case initially, he managed to appeal it and reverse the verdict.
Is she dating Johnny Depp?
Camille Vasquez denied reports of romantic involvement between herself and Johnny Depp; nevertheless, rumors persisted of them dating. Vasquez isn’t stupid and wouldn’t risk her career by engaging in sexual relations with one of her clients – knowing full well she would be subject to strict ethical regulations that could result in termination by her law firm if this came to light.
TMZ reports that Depp is now dating Joelle Rich, his London-based attorney who represented him during his 2020 UK defamation trial against The Sun. Although she wasn’t part of his Virginia trial team, Joelle attended several hearings as an informal show of support.
Rich is a partner at Schillings, a global law firm specializing in privacy and reputation law. She attended North London Collegiate School before studying at University of Birmingham; DLA Piper also hired her at that time. Outside her legal career, Rich has two children named Lily-Rose Melody and Jack.
What do we know about her relationship with Johnny Depp?
Joelle Rich was part of Depp’s legal team when his lawsuit against The Sun was unsuccessful, as well as accompanying him for his domestic violence trial in Virginia, prompting speculation about an intimate relationship between them and Depp.
However, according to TMZ reports that Rich was not part of Heard’s legal team against Depp; she still attended her trial due to their friendship.
At 23, Heard evidently targeted someone 25 years her senior, with all their wealth, fame and life experience, who also provided round-the-clock security, helpers, carers and handlers for her around the clock, with whom she could control, harm manipulate and abuse in an easy fashion.
Dawn Hughes, who testified as part of Heard’s defense in court against Depp, wasn’t exaggerating when she stated that Heard had to submit to oral sex during some of the most violent episodes she experienced throughout their relationship.