Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP has announced a significant expansion to its Business Trial practice group with the addition of a five-lawyer trial team. This high-profile group is notably recognized for their successful representation of actor Johnny Depp in his widely publicized defamation trial against his former wife. The team includes prominent attorney Camille M. Vasquez, along with partners Leo Presiado, Andrew C. Crawford, Jessica N. Meyers, and Samuel A. Moniz, all formerly of Brown Rudnick.
This strategic acquisition underscores Sheppard Mullin’s commitment to attracting top-tier legal talent and further solidifies its position as a leading firm in business litigation. Camille Vasquez, who co-chaired the Brand & Reputation Management group at her previous firm, will be based in Sheppard Mullin’s Orange County office along with Presiado, Meyers, and Moniz. Crawford will reside in the Washington, D.C. office, expanding the firm’s reach and capabilities on the East Coast.
“This trial team exemplifies the exceptional caliber of legal professionals we are dedicated to bringing to Sheppard Mullin,” stated Luca Salvi, chair of Sheppard Mullin. “Integrating their robust brand reputation expertise with our already distinguished entertainment, private wealth, and fiduciary litigation practices creates an unparalleled synergy that will be immensely beneficial for both their existing clients and our diverse client base.”
Sascha Henry, co-leader of Sheppard Mullin’s Business Trial practice group, also highlighted the strategic importance of this addition, noting, “Following recent strategic hires in Chicago and New York, this team’s arrival marks another significant step in the growth of our national litigation practice. They are a formidable group of trial lawyers known for tackling and succeeding in the most complex and challenging cases.”
Henry further emphasized the firm’s enthusiasm, adding, “We are excited about the opportunities Sheppard Mullin offers them and are committed to supporting their ambitions to expand their practice and client relationships across the nation.”
Camille Vasquez expressed her team’s enthusiasm for joining Sheppard Mullin, stating, “We were drawn to Sheppard Mullin not only by its nationally recognized litigation practice but also by its global presence, comprehensive service platform, and deeply collaborative culture. We are eager to contribute to the firm’s already impressive litigation strengths and offer clients an even deeper and broader range of expertise across the country.”
Beyond the widely followed Johnny Depp case, Camille Vasquez and her team maintain a diverse and active docket of high-stakes brand reputation and defamation cases. Their current representations include:
- Defending the producers of the musical film “The Deb” against a defamation lawsuit filed by actress Rebel Wilson in LA Superior Court.
- Representing singer Gloria Trevi in multiple ongoing litigations in Texas and California related to allegations of abuse, for which she was previously acquitted in Mexico in 2004.
- Defending composer and musician Danny Elfman in defamation claims arising from comments published in a Rolling Stone article by composer Nomi Abadi.
Camille Vasquez gained significant public recognition in 2022 for her pivotal role in securing a victory for Johnny Depp, winning over $10 million in damages in his defamation suit against Amber Heard. Her legal practice is strategically focused on brand reputation and defamation litigation, complemented by substantial experience in contract disputes and business torts. She is also adept at managing the intricate parallel issues of reputation management and crisis communication that often accompany high-profile litigation. Vasquez’s legal acumen has been consistently recognized by esteemed legal publications including Chambers, Legal 500, and Benchmark Litigation. She holds a B.S., magna cum laude, from the University of Southern California and a J.D. from Southwestern Law School.
Leo Presiado brings to Sheppard Mullin a wealth of experience as a business litigator with a proven record in complex, high-stakes litigation within both state and federal court systems. His expertise encompasses business torts, unfair competition, fraudulent transfer claims, and contract disputes. Presiado is also an accomplished appellate lawyer, having presented arguments and submitted briefs before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the California Court of Appeal, and the United States Bankruptcy Appellate Panel. His commitment to the legal community is further demonstrated by his service on the board of directors of the Orange County Federal Bar Association and his pro bono work with the Public Law Center. He earned his B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, and his J.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Andrew C. Crawford’s practice focuses on advising clients through a wide spectrum of business disputes and government contracts. His specific experience includes prosecuting and defending federal bid protests before the GAO and the Court of Federal Claims, state bid protests, debriefings, REA/claim preparation, prime/sub disputes, challenges related to adverse past performance, contract administration, and compliance matters. Beyond government contracts, Crawford also provides counsel on intricate civil litigation matters and was a key member of the Depp trial team. He earned his B.A., cum laude, from Wake Forest University and his J.D., cum laude, from Boston College Law School.
Jessica N. Meyers represents a diverse clientele in high-profile defamation cases and other sensitive litigation matters that carry significant reputational implications. Her experience includes handling lawsuits under New York’s Adult Survivors Act and similar revival statutes in other states. Notably, Meyers skillfully conducted Johnny Depp’s direct examination in his defamation trial. Her practice also extends to the fintech sector, where she advises cryptocurrency companies on matters ranging from governance disputes and breach of contract to securities and RICO claims, as well as related defamation and non-disparagement issues. Meyers holds a B.A., magna cum laude, from Tufts University and a J.D. from Boston University School of Law.
Samuel A. Moniz represents clients in a variety of litigation matters, including contract and partnership disputes, business torts, unfair competition, malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty, fraudulent transfer, and defamation, across both state and federal courts. He brings a particular focus to brand and reputation management in sensitive and highly publicized cases. His client base includes high-profile individuals, private clients, global corporations, and small businesses within the entertainment industry. Moniz earned his B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, with high honors, and his J.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles.
About Sheppard Mullin’s Business Trial Practice Group
Sheppard Mullin’s Business Trial practice group has been a cornerstone of the firm since 1927. Today, it comprises approximately 250 attorneys worldwide. Sheppard Mullin litigators are recognized for their exceptional trial and appellate advocacy, deep knowledge of state and federal court systems, and practical business acumen, consistently delivering successful outcomes for clients. The group represents clients across a broad spectrum of industries, including technology, financial services, entertainment, and manufacturing, among many others, solidifying its position as a premier litigation practice.
