Johnny Depp in ‘serious’ relationship with married lawyer Joelle Rich

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Johnny Depp has found love again with Joelle Rich, one of the London-based attorneys who defended him in his U.K. libel case.

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According to Us Weekly, who were first to report the news, Rich, who is married but separated, attended Depp’s recent defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard to show “support” for the 59-year-old actor.

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“There was no professional obligation for her being there. It was personal,” a source says.

According to her bio, Rich “helps individuals and families in the public eye protect their privacy and reputations” and has “expertise in libel, privacy and copyright disputes.” She “works to defend (clients’) reputations against false and defamatory allegations in print, online and on social media.”

“Their chemistry is off the charts,” an insider exclusively told Us of the Pirates of the Caribbean star’s new relationship. “It’s serious between them. They are the real deal.”

Rich, a mother of two, was reportedly married when she first met Depp, but is now divorcing her husband.

Earlier this summer, Depp was linked to Camille Vasquez, one of the attorneys who represented him against Heard.

While in court, Vasquez has been seen hugging Depp and wild rumours started to circulate that the two were in fact dating with TMZ asking her pointedly if the pair were an item as she exited the courthouse.

“The people want to know, are you dating Johnny Depp? It’s all over the internet. Can you set the record straight, yes or no?” a reporter asked.

Vasquez laughed, but didn’t reply. Later, Vasquez called speculation that she was dating her client “sexist” and “unethical.”

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After losing the case against the Sun, Depp sued Heard for $50 million over a 2018 op-ed in which she claimed to be a survivor of domestic abuse. The Edward Scissorhands star claimed the article ruined his career and maintained she was the abuser in their relationship.

In June, a seven-person jury mostly sided with him, awarding the actor $10.35 million in damages. Heard counter-sued Depp, who was found guilty on one count of defamation through his former lawyer Adam Waldman.

After the verdict, Depp said in a statement that the jury “gave me my life back.” Heard, meanwhile, said the judgment was a “setback” for other survivors of domestic violence.

Heard has announced she will appeal the jury’s decision and has hired a new legal team to help her mount a her defence.

Since his court victory, Depp has hit the stage with musician Jeff Beck and is set to direct Modigliani, a biographical drama about Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani.

After not having acted in a film since 2019, Depp is also is set to play King Louis XV in Jeanne du Barry.

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