Eric George
Eric George is a prominent California trial attorney, Georgetown-educated, with bar admissions in California, New York, D.C., and before the U.S. Supreme Court. He previously served as counsel to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee (1999–2000) and as deputy legal affairs secretary to Governor Pete Wilson (1997–1999). A fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and recognized superlawyer, he represented Amber Heard in connection with the December 2018 Washington Post op-ed that gave rise to Depp's defamation claims.
Testimony Impact
George testified that Heard brought him a draft op-ed around December 6, 2018, and that he spent significant time reviewing it with a specific objective: ensuring no meritorious defamation or related tort claim could arise from the piece. He also evaluated whether the op-ed risked contract-based breach under the divorce dissolution judgment between Heard and Depp. His central testimony was that Heard followed every piece of legal advice he provided without exception and never expressed any willingness to accept legal risk. This directly bolstered Heard's defense against the actual malice standard — establishing that she acted in good faith, on counsel's guidance, rather than with reckless disregard for the truth.
Notable Quotes From The Record
“I reviewed it and spent some significant time on it to make sure that there would be no meritorious claims that could be brought against her in connection with a defamation or related type of tort claim And ideally, with that in mind, to minimize the possibility of her ever being sued in connection with publishing it.”
Establishes that the op-ed underwent deliberate legal review aimed at eliminating defamation exposure — directly relevant to the actual malice standard.
“Number two, that she affirmatively did follow, in all instances, my counsel with respect to these particular edits.”
Key defense point: Heard's full compliance with legal counsel undermines claims she acted recklessly or in bad faith when publishing the op-ed.
“None, to my knowledge.”
Direct answer that no legal advice from George was disregarded — Heard followed counsel completely.
“All of it.”
Unambiguous affirmation that every piece of advice George provided was followed by Heard.
Key Moments
Bredehoft establishes George's credentials at length — Georgetown education, four bar admissions including SCOTUS, Senate Judiciary Committee counsel role, Governor Wilson deputy post, ACTL fellowship, and superlawyer recognition — building his authority to assess defamation risk before the substance of his testimony begins.
Day 19 · Direct of Eric George
George describes his representation: Heard presented a draft op-ed around December 6, 2018, and his explicit objective was to ensure no meritorious defamation or tort claim could be brought against her in connection with it.
Day 19 · Direct of Eric George
Exhibit 9 — the dissolution of marriage judgment — is introduced, and George confirms he was familiar with it and evaluated both defamation exposure and potential contract-based breach risk under that judgment.
Day 19 · Direct of Eric George
George testifies that Heard never indicated any willingness to ignore his advice or accept legal risk — locking in the defense narrative that the op-ed was a legally vetted, good-faith publication.
Day 19 · Direct of Eric George
Responding to inverse questions from Bredehoft, George confirms with unambiguous one-word answers ('None' / 'All of it') that no advice was disregarded and every piece of counsel was followed — the cleanest possible framing for the actual malice defense.
Day 19 · Direct of Eric George