Camille Vasquez, the lawyer who gained prominence for her role in actor Johnny Depp’s defamation trial against Amber Heard, has left Brown Rudnick LLP to join Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP. Vasquez, who helped secure a $15 million verdict for Depp, will transition to Sheppard Mullin with four other members from her Brown Rudnick team.
This strategic move aims to bolster Sheppard Mullin’s litigation practice group. The departing team members accompanying Vasquez include Leo Presiado, Andrew Crawford, Jessica Meyers, and Samuel Moniz. The new team will be based primarily in Orange County, California, with Crawford practicing out of Washington, DC.
Brown Rudnick elevated Vasquez to partner status shortly after the successful Depp verdict in 2022. The firm’s chairman, William Baldiga, emphasized Vasquez’s strong performance during the high-profile trial, which highlighted her readiness for advancement. Further details on these developments can be found here.
Luca Salvi, chair of Sheppard Mullin, remarked that the addition of Vasquez and her team would enhance the firm’s capabilities, particularly in entertainment, private wealth, and fiduciary litigation practices, which are already well-regarded. The firm reported more than $1.1 billion in gross revenue for 2023, with equity partners receiving over $2.3 million each. This new development underscores Sheppard Mullin’s commitment to attracting top-tier legal talent.