Johnny Depp’s hotshot former lawyer Camille Vasquez became an internet sensation while representing the actor during his trial against ex-wife Amber Heard – and now the legal pro is turning that social media fame into her own on-screen career after landing a job at NBC.
Just seven months after Vasquez, 38, helped land a victory for the actor, 59, in his highly publicized $100 million defamation case against his ex-wife Heard, 36, the lawyer has made her debut in a new role: an on-air legal analyst for the popular TV network.
Depp and Heard’s battle in court was one of the most covered trials in history – and the attorney was quickly propelled into the spotlight for her involvement in the case.
She was wildly popular among social media users – becoming an online sensation and earning an army of her own fans, thanks to her bold behavior in the courtroom and her personal chemistry with her famous client.
Johnny Depp’s former lawyer Camille Vasquez is now working at NBC as a legal analyst – after multiple networks reportedly fought to try to get her on their team
Vasquez made her first appearance on the network this morning during a segment on the Today Show, in which she discussed the recent Idaho college student murders
Host Hoda Kotb introduced her as ‘NBC News’ legal analyst,’ before asking Vasquez about her thoughts on how social media and internet sleuths might affect the case
After it concluded in June of last year – Depp was awarded $15 million in punitive and compensatory damages – the Hollywood Reporter claimed that at least three national news divisions inquired about her coming on board as an analyst or contributor.
Now, she has officially joined NBC, and made her first appearance on the network this morning during a segment on the Today Show, in which she discussed the recent Idaho college student murders.
Host Hoda Kotb introduced her as ‘NBC News’ legal analyst,’ before asking Vasquez about her thoughts on how social media and internet sleuths might affect the case – something she is pretty familiar with following the attention that the Depp and Heard case received.
‘This has become something that really captivated the country,’ she said of the death of four young women who were killed in Moscow, Idaho, on November 13, 2022.
‘And so people want to talk about the evidence, they want to talk about the human impact.
‘I think it can be helpful to investigators, they pleaded to the public and asked for information about the [murder suspect Brian Kohberger’s] white [car], but it could also be harmful, when you start naming someone.’
NBC then confirmed her hiring in a Tweet, writing, ‘New: Camille Vasquez joins @NBCNews as a legal analyst.’
Vasquez is reportedly still a partner at law firm Brown Rudnick, where she serves as co-chair of it’s brand and reputation management group.
Vaquez was born in July 1984 to parents Leonel and Marilia Vasquez, who are of Colombian descent. They live in a $1 million home in Buena Park, according to public records.
Seven months after Vasquez, 38, helped land a victory for the actor, 59, in his highly publicized $100 million defamation case against, Amber Heard, 36, the lawyer has landed a new gig
Vasquez (seen on the Today show) is reportedly still a partner at law firm Brown Rudnick, where she serves as co-chair of it’s brand and reputation management group
Camille said in the segment that the public could be ‘helpful’ in gathering info about Idaho suspect Brian Kohberger (seen), but also ‘harmful’ if they name the wrong person
Her father once owned a UPS Store in Anaheim, however, the location has been a FedEx store for the past 10 years, an employee previously told DailyMail.com.
Vasquez graduated from the University of Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in arts, communications and political science in 2006, Newsweek reported.
The fluent Spanish speaker went to Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles from 2007 to 2010 and worked at one law firm before joining her current practice, Brown Rudnick LLP, as an associate.
She focuses on ‘plaintiff-side defamation suits, with additional experience litigating contract disputes, business-related torts, and employment-related claims,’ according to her bio on the law firm’s website.
She’s also listed as having ‘extensive experience handling parallel reputation management and crisis communications issues arising from these engagements.’ She does not have any public social media profiles.
During the trial, many fans started to wonder if romantic feelings had developed between Depp and Vasquez, after they noticed a slew of flirty interactions between the two – including whispering in each other’s ears, giggling together, and sharing coy smirks with one another.
Rumors of a budding romance were fueled after a video of the Pirates of the Caribbean star helping the lawyer untangle her iPhone charger went viral on TikTok. He was also spotted pulling out her chair for her.
However, body language expert Judi James explained exclusively to DailyMail.com at the time that the amorous moments between them were most likely not due to a secret affair, but instead, were all part of a plan to make Depp seem like a ‘romantic hero.’
She said that linking Depp to a ‘fresh, smart, fragrant, and confident-looking woman’ would ‘destroy’ Heard’s recount of their toxic relationship.
Vaquez was born in July 1984 to parents Leonel and Marilia Vasquez (pictured), who are of Colombian descent. They live in a $1 million home in Buena Park, according to public records
Vasquez graduated from the University of Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in arts, communications and political science in 2006. She is pictured left with her mother and sister
Fans started to wonder if romantic feelings had developed between Depp and Vasquez during the trial, after they noticed a slew of flirty interactions between the two
Some people on social media have also pointed out that Vasquez appeared to be wearing an engagement or wedding ring during her court appearances, but since she keeps her personal life so private, it’s unclear whether or not she’s in a relationship.
However, body language expert Judi James explained that the amorous moments between them are most likely part of a plan to make Depp seem like a ‘romantic hero’
In addition to her rumored relationship with Depp, Vasquez gained immense attention after she cross-examined Heard on the stand, with some fans claiming that she ‘annihilated’ and ‘obliterated’ the star with her fierce questions.
Vasquez said to Heard during the cross examination: ‘Your lies have been exposed to the world multiple times?’ to which Heard responded, ‘I haven’t lied about anything.’
Vasquez pressed Heard on many of her inconsistencies and accusations, and she even became short with Heard when she started to talk to the jury at one point.
‘There is no question pending so I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t make an argument to the jury. It’s inappropriate,’ Vasquez snapped at Heard.
‘Camille Vasquez is definitely one of the best lawyers I’ve ever seen. She’s absolutely annihilating Amber heard. OMG,’ wrote one person on Twitter afterwards.
In addition to her rumored relationship with Depp, Vasquez gained immense attention after she cross-examined Heard on the stand
Vasquez (pictured during her cross-examination) became short with Heard at one point, telling her, ‘I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t make an argument to the jury. It’s inappropriate’
Vasquez was wildly popular among social media users – becoming an online sensation and earning an army of her own fans, thanks to her bold behavior in the courtroom
‘That was an obliteration,’ agreed someone else. ‘Camille Vasquez, you queen.’
Another added, ‘This is what a real strong independent woman looks like. Camille’s intelligence and talent is so inspiring for women everywhere. She is a true example of strength facing evil.’
‘Iconic. No matter the outcome, Camille, you did Johnny and ACTUAL victims of domestic violence well. Take a bow my queen,’ someone else said.
‘Camille Vasquez gave Johnny Depp the voice he never had against Amber Heard’s vicious claims. You can tell how much she feels for him and how much she wants justice for him,’ gushed a different user.
A sixth tweet read, ‘Camille Vasquez did not come to play. She came to exact justice. Watching her is a win for all women. #CamilleVasquez I feel powerful watching her work. She is a beast!’
Heard was awarded $2 million in compensatory damages out of the $100million she was seeking in her countersuit against her ex-husband. She was awarded zero dollars in punitive damages.
Despite the jury awarding Depp $15 million in total, the judge reduced the $5 million in punitive damages from that amount to the Virginia maximum of $350,000, meaning he should receive $8.35 million in total after paying Heard $2 million.
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