During a six-week televised trial, Vasquez became the public face of Depp's legal team and received praise for his performance. The team was led by Brown Rudnick's partner Benjamin Chew and included nine other lawyers. But Vasquez emerged as a key player, cross-examining Heard and telling jurors during the closing arguments that Heard was the abuser in the relationship.
Brown Rudnick chairman William Baldiga said in a statement Tuesday that the firm typically promotes partners at the end of its fiscal year.
"But Camille's performance during the Johnny Depp trial proved to the world that she was ready to take this next step," he said.
Vasquez was not immediately available for comment, but said in a statement that he was "delighted" to have received the firm's "absolute vote of confidence."
Law firm Recruiters and Consultants said it was logical for the firm to make Vasquez a partner in 250-lawyer Brown Rudnick - a title that typically includes an ownership stake, more money and more influence - in his newly emerged. Looking at the profile.
"I expect her team's victory in the Depp case and the level of publicity she's personally received will make her a hot prospect," said Kate Rader Sheik, partner at legal recruiting firm Major, Lindsay & Africa.
Beth Cavagnolo of law firm consultancy Vertex Advisors said Vasquez was already on the partnership track and Depp was performing at a high enough level to get the case assigned.
"In a situation like this, there is absolutely a war for talent, and I'm sure it was a retention measure for Ms. Vasquez," Cavagnolo said of the promotion.
Vasquez joined the Orange County office of Brown Rudnick in 2018, specializing in plaintiff-party defamation lawsuits. She was previously an associate at Manatt, Phelps, & Philips.
Depp, 58, sued Heard for $50 million, arguing that he discredited her when she called herself "a public figure representing domestic abuse." Heard countered for $100 million, saying Depp defamed her when her attorney called her allegations "hoax."
On June 1, jurors awarded Depp $15 million in damages from Heard, which the judge reduced to $10.35 million for complying with the state limit on punitive damages. The panel ordered Depp to pay Hurd $2 million in damages.
A lawyer for Hurd said last week that he planned to appeal the jury's defamation finding....Reuters