Who is Johnny Depp’s new girlfriend, Joelle Rich? The London-based lawyer and mum-of-two represented the actor in 2020, supported him at the Amber Heard trial – and even worked for Meghan Markle
So who is this 37-year-old London-based lawyer who’s become Depp’s new love interest, after Amber Heard?
She’s a well-educated lawyer from Britain
According to her LinkedIn profile, Rich attended North London Collegiate School and the University of Birmingham. In 2006, she also entered BPP Law School to enrol in a legal practice course and attain electives in media and entertainment, among others, per Fox Bangor.
Rich served as a lawyer at DLA Piper – a global law firm – before joining Schillings. The British lawyer has since become a partner at Schillings, which prides itself as a privacy and reputations expert consultancy group.
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She was part of the group that represented Johnny Depp in his UK libel suit
In 2020, Depp was represented in court by a group from Schillings – which included Rich – in his libel lawsuit against The Sun. According to Yahoo, the actor and the lawyer spent four months together for the said trial.
The 59-year-old actor sued the British tabloid newspaper for publishing an article in 2018 that labelled him as a “wife beater”. BBC reported that Depp lost the case, with the judge ruling in favour of The Sun and citing the article to be substantially true.
She and Depp have reportedly been dating for months now
Per US Weekly, the new hot couple is now involved in a serious romantic relationship.
Though not part of the Fantastic Beasts actor’s defamation trial team, the British lawyer was said to be in Virginia to support Depp. The Los Angeles Times reported that the Virginia jury awarded the Hollywood actor the win against his ex-wife Heard, and more than US$10 million dollars in compensatory and punitive damages.
She was also pictured hugging Depp’s lawyer, Camille Vasquez, after the proceedings, reported Firstpost.
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She has two kids with her now-estranged husband
US Weekly also revealed that Rich was married when she first met the movie star, but is now separated and in the process of divorcing her husband, Jonathan Rich. The ex-couple share two children together.
While this news may have already surprised many onlookers, British media also added that the high-profile lawyer and her family just recently moved into their US$1.1 million mansion in north London last year.
Despite the many reports of their new romance, the Hollywood actor and the award-winning lawyer have yet to officially address the news.
She also represented a British royal family member
Turmoil within her personal life aside, Rich has been a powerhouse in her professional dealings. In 2021, she received a silver award for the “Future Leader Initiative of the Year” at the Citywealth Future Leaders awards.
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In an interview with The Law Society Gazette, the Schillings lawyer said she wanted to keep the complex problem-solving aspect of her career. “Law was the best fit to incorporate that skill, but in a more creative way,” she added.
- Months after the Pirates of the Caribbean star won his defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard, all eyes are on his new rumoured romance with Joelle Rich
- Although they are yet to confirm the relationship, media report that it’s true – but did they really meet while she was still married to her hubby Jonathan?