Depp v. Heard

Johnny Depp sued Amber Heard for defamation over a December 2018 op-ed published in The Washington Post, in which Heard described herself as a “public figure representing domestic abuse.” Depp claimed the article was about him despite not being named, and that it damaged his career. He sought $50 million in damages.

Heard countersued for $100 million, alleging defamation by Depp’s attorney Adam Waldman, who called her abuse claims a “hoax.”

After a six-week televised trial, the jury found in Depp’s favor on all three of his defamation claims, awarding $10.35 million in damages. The jury also found in Heard’s favor on one of her three counterclaims, awarding $2 million.