ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Keppler Speakers, representing sought-after speakers from the worlds of business leadership, diversity, innovation, cybersecurity, world affairs, entertainment, sports and the arts, today announced the agency’s exclusive representation of Camille Vasquez and Benjamin G. Chew for speaking engagements. The two accomplished commercial litigation partners from the international law firm of Brown Rudnick, who serve as co-chairs of the firm’s Brand and Reputation Group, led the litigation team that won a jury verdict for actor Johnny Depp in his high-profile defamation trial against Amber Heard.
Following a six-week trial, a Virginia jury ruled unanimously in favor of Depp, finding he had proven all elements of defamation. The seven-member jury awarded Depp $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages. Virginia state law limits punitive damages to $350,000, so the actual amount to be awarded Depp is $10.35 million, less Ms. Heard’s $2 million counterclaim judgment, for a net award of $8.35 million.
“We’re pleased to represent Camille and Ben for keynotes and moderated discussions,” said Keppler Speakers’ CEO Warren Jones. “Many people around the world were consumed by the high-profile nature of the case, but it’s the behind-the-scenes stories that are both fascinating and enlightening. Audiences will hear how members of the unique legal team were chosen, gain insights into their months of preparation and discover how — after more than 100 hours of testimony — the jury was convinced to rule in their favor.”
“We look forward to joining other exclusive speakers at Keppler who are bringing unique content to so many different audiences,” said Camille Vasquez. Ben Chew added, “I’ve known about Keppler Speakers’ reputation for many years, and Camille and I are looking forward to our partnership with the company and its experienced team.”
Camille and Ben are available to speak jointly or separately, depending on the particulars of the planned event. Camille is based on the west coast, and Ben is on the east coast. Both are available to travel.
The two attorneys have been providing interviews for a sequel to the 2021 Discovery+ docuseries “Johnny vs. Amber.” The two-part documentary series explores the libel case brought by Johnny Depp in 2018 against The Sun newspaper in the United Kingdom, and the more recent case in Fairfax, Virginia.
About Camille Vasquez and Benjamin Chew
Camille Vasquez’s practice focuses on plaintiff-side defamation suits, with additional experience litigating contract disputes, business-related torts, and employment-related claims. She also has extensive experience handling parallel reputation management and crisis communications issues arising from these engagements. Prior to joining Brown Rudnick, Camille was an attorney at a national firm in Los Angeles.
Ben Chew is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers (“ACTL”), the most prestigious, invitation-only society of senior trial counsel in the United States. Ben represents clients in complex commercial litigation and arbitrations throughout the United States and internationally, including a major victory for clients in a case he defended in Kosovo under EULEX rules. He has successfully represented foreign sovereigns in U.S. litigation, including Dubai and Honduras, and was part of a team that represented a major corporation in arbitration and litigation against the Sandinista Government of Nicaragua. As part of his commitment to pro bono work, Ben successfully represented an African American honors graduate of the University of Virginia in his civil rights case. He served as counsel for one of the plaintiffs’ groups in the landmark Black Farmers class action litigation, and he represented a Native American plaintiffs’ group in a class action that was settled for almost $1 billion.
Individually and together, co-chairs Camille and Ben have represented Fortune 500 companies, foreign sovereigns, and other notable entertainment figures, including Ben Affleck, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lopez and Cher.
About Keppler Speakers
Keppler Speakers represents many of the most prestigious and celebrated speakers from the worlds of business leadership, diversity, innovation, cybersecurity, world affairs, entertainment, sports and the arts. Based in the Washington, D.C. area, the company’s growing customer base includes Fortune 500 companies across every industry sector, national trade associations representing over 75 million members, colleges and universities, performing arts centers and audiences around the world.
For more information about Keppler Speakers, go to kepplerspeakers.com.
