Johnny Depp has been linked with Joelle Rich, his lawyer from his U.K. libel case against The Sun newspaper in 2020. While Rich didn’t represent Depp in his successful defamation trial against Amber Heard this summer in America, she did make appearances at courthouse to show support.
Who is Joelle Rich?
Joelle Rich was the attorney who represented Johnny Depp in his defamation case against The Sun in 2020, but they are no longer together, according to sources who confirmed to People that this pair have officially separated. A source told People they were seen together several times during Depp’s defamation trial against The Sun regarding his domestic violence claims with former wife Amber Heard; however, sources did not give any reason why.
Rich was not officially representing Depp during his defamation case in Virginia; she nonetheless attended some proceedings as a show of support and was photographed several times together, including outside and inside the courthouse on May 2, and hugging Camille Vasquez when the trial concluded on May 16.
Schillings Partners describes Rich as one of its partners, offering law services that help those in the spotlight protect their privacy and reputations.” Her practice involves libel, copyright and privacy disputes – this firm also represented Meghan Markle during her case against Mail on Sunday newspaper last year.
Rich is a mother-of-two living in north London where she and her children were born and raised, though separated from her husband for over a decade now.
What is her background?
Johnny Depp has recently returned to the public eye following his trial against former wife Amber Heard and its subsequent media coverage, thanks to a new relationship. Depp, 59, is dating a lawyer who represented him during an unsuccessful libel lawsuit filed against The Sun newspaper published by UK publication in 2020.
Joelle Rich is a London-based attorney who attended Heard’s defamation trial this summer as a show of support – though not as part of his legal team – although she was seen sitting alongside Heard in courtroom, leading to romantic speculations.
As per sources, Rich and Depp formed a deep connection over their legal battle, meeting up discretely at hotels in the early stages of their romance, according to this source. While neither have confirmed publicly their relationship yet, either have quickly responded to gossip and speculation surrounding either actor.
Heard had claimed during her short marriage to Depp that they both physically and emotionally abused each other, including allegations that Depp once pushed her down a flight of stairs. At trial, however, only $2 Million in compensatory damages was awarded as the jury disproved of any sexism allegations in their verdict. Depp later issued an apology via social media before hiring a private investigator to assess Heard’s allegations of abuse.
What do we know about her relationship with Johnny Depp?
Joelle Rich, the London-based attorney, is best known for being part of Depp’s legal team during his libel lawsuit against The Sun for labelling him a “wife beater”. Rich made numerous court appearances throughout Virginia’s six-week case as support and this led to speculation of potential dating rumors between herself and Depp; neither party have ever confirmed or denied them.
Joelle and Johnny devote much of their free time and efforts towards charitable work, including support of Amnesty International and Art of Elysium – two human rights organisations that advocate for women and children’s rights respectively – as well as contributing to organizations such as Syrian American Medical Society which provides healthcare to refugees.
Though they have yet to publicly address their relationship rumors, Joelle and Johnny both profess a great admiration of Twin Peaks actress Sherilyn Fenn. Johnny Depp and Sherilyn had an on-off romance back in the 80s before Depp met Amber Heard whom he ultimately married in 2015. Fenn has spoken publicly about Depp as being kind, generous, loving person with whom she shared birthdays; their friendship was reignited when both appeared together again for Twin Peaks: The Return.
Are they dating?
Johnny Depp has recently made headlines once again following the high-profile trial with former flame Amber Heard, as reports emerge that he has begun dating Joelle Rich, an attorney who represented him against The Sun newspaper for libel charges in 2020.
Reports indicate that Depp and Rich quickly connected during their trial, connecting over their mutual interest in law. After it concluded, US Weekly claimed they began dating.
Depp and Heard’s relationship was volatile, with Heard alleging multiple incidents of Depp abuse against her. According to her deposition testimony, Depp would slap her or hit her hard enough that she told him off; furthermore he once threw a wine bottle at them while staying at a hotel room with Tasya Van Ree.
Depp’s attorney Camille Vasquez became known for her aggressive courtroom strategy during the defamation trial, often challenging Heard with hostile questions and shouting her testimony down. Though Vasquez denied having a romantic relationship with Depp, speculations persist.
While reports of Depp and Rich being romantically involved have circulated, it should be noted that she wasn’t part of his legal team in his UK libel trial against The Sun. Instead, she is based in London as an attorney married with two children.