Jada Pinkett-Smith has moved to recover legal fees after a court dismissed key claims in a $3 million emotional distress suit filed by Bilaal Salaam, according to recent filings.
Pinkett Smith’s attorneys seek $48,975, arguing Salaam should bear the costs tied to claims the court rejected. The motion follows a ruling that struck portions of Salaam’s complaint, narrowing the case but allowing other claims to proceed.
Salaam, described in filings as a longtime associate of Will Smith, alleged emotional harm linked to events after the 2022 Academy Awards incident. He claimed he assisted the Smiths with damage control following the widely publicized altercation and later faced retaliation when preparing a memoir.
According to the complaint, Salaam alleged Pinkett Smith and several associates issued threats tied to his planned book, which he said contained undisclosed information. He attributed a range of personal and emotional consequences to those alleged actions.
Jada Pinkett-Smith Asks Judge To Make Will Smith’s Ex-Friend Bilaal Salaam To Pay Her Legal Bills
Pinkett-Smith has consistently denied the allegations. In prior filings, her legal team described the claims as “false, uncorroborated and made to generate attention as part of an ongoing public campaign of harassment directed at her and Will.” The defense has maintained that the lawsuit lacks evidentiary support.
The court’s dismissal of the emotional distress claims now underpins Pinkett Smith’s fee request. Her attorneys argue the stricken allegations lacked merit and imposed unnecessary litigation costs, warranting reimbursement.
The broader action remains pending, with unresolved claims still before the court. A ruling on the fee motion is expected in the coming weeks.
No public statements have been issued by Jada Pinkett-Smith or Salaam regarding the latest filing. The dispute continues to draw scrutiny due to its connection to the 2022 awards incident and the parties’ public profiles.
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