Jordan Karlesson
Amber Heard has new lawyers for her appeal after a jury found her guilty of defamation against ex-husband Johnny Depp.
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Heard recently hired Ballard Spahr attorneys David Axelrod and Jay Ward Brown as her appellate counsel, Good Morning America reported Monday.
Axelrod and Brown issued a joint statement after Amber Heard hired them for the appeal, according to GMA.
“We welcome the opportunity to represent Ms. Heard in this appeal as it is a case with important First Amendment implications for every American,” they reportedly said. “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 principals of Freedom of Speech.”
Ben Rottenborn of Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black and Elaine Charlson Bredehoft of Charlson Bredehoft Cohen Brown & Nadelhaft represented Heard during the initial trial. Rottenborn is staying on as co-counsel but Bredehoft is leaving, GMA said.
Amber Heard’s Ex-Attorney Happy To ‘Pass The Baton’
After the initial court setback, Bredehoft is apparently eager to move on.
“This is the perfect time to pass the baton,” Bredehoft reportedly said in a statement. “I have pledged to Amber and her appellate team my complete cooperation and assistance as they move forward on a path towards success.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Amber Heard said, “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.'”
Additionally, they said “a different court warrants different representation.”
In June, a jury found Heard guilty of defamation against Depp. The decision resulted in a $10.3 million award for Depp ex-husband. With a verdict additionally awarding Heard compensatory damages of $2 million, she is on the hook for $8.3 million.
Afterward, Heard’s attorneys claimed she can’t afford to pay that amount.
Where is she getting the money? Contingency?