Johnny Depp’s £23million fight with ex-lawyer finally comes to an end

Hollywood actor Johnny Depp has finally settled a long-running legal battle with a former lawyer he accused of wrongly collecting millions of dollars in fees.

A lawyer representing Depp said he had won an “eight-figure” settlement from Jake Bloom’s firm, Bloom Hergott.

Depp had alleged Mr Bloom improperly collected more than $30million – around £23 million – over the course of their 18-year working relationship.

A trial had been scheduled to begin in December.

In a statement, Depp’s lawyer Adam Waldman said: “Today, Bloom Hergott provided Johnny Depp an eight-figure payment to settle Mr Depp’s lawsuit against the firm for fraud, conflict of interest, disgorgement of over 30 million dollars in voidable fees and other malfeasance that they engaged in over nearly two decades.”

Johnny Depp agreed on an undisclosed eight figure settlement from Bloom Hergott (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Johnny Depp agreed on an undisclosed eight figure settlement from Bloom Hergott (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Depp, star of blockbuster films including Pirates Of The Caribbean, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and Alice In Wonderland, sued Mr Bloom in October 2017.

He argued their agreement should have been in writing, rather than based on a handshake as is often the case in Hollywood.

Bloom counter-sued and asked a judge to throw the case out.

However in August 2018, 56-year old Depp scored a pivotal victory when a judge in Los Angeles ruled in his favour.

Jake Bloom worked with Johnny Depp for more than 18 years (Image: WireImage)
Jake Bloom worked with Johnny Depp for more than 18 years (Image: WireImage)

Bryan Freedman, the lawyer representing Bloom Hergott, confirmed a settlement has been reached, saying it was for a “fraction” of Depp’s original demand.

While the firm was confident it would prevail at trial, we are nonetheless pleased with this resolution as it expedites the firm’s winding down process and allows it to get off the endless Johnny Depp litigation train.

Bryan Freedman

Depp is no stranger to legal wrangles and was involved in a dispute with his former managers, the Management Group, who he accused of mishandling his affairs and pushing him to the brink of financial ruin.

Depp will now focus on his legal battle with his ex-wife Amber Heard (Image: X03298)
Depp will now focus on his legal battle with his ex-wife Amber Heard (Image: X03298)

In a counter suit, the group said Depp had been responsible for his own financial woes, accusing him of spending millions of dollars on luxury homes, wine, art and a cannon used to scatter the ashes of writer Hunter S Thompson.

That lawsuit was settled in July 2018.

Depp remains locked in a legal battle with his ex-wife Amber Heard, who he accused of defamation over a newspaper op-ed in which she described herself as a victim of domestic abuse.

 

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