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Here's why Johnny Depp fans want to shut down rumors about Camille Vasquez relationship

Vasquez, an associate at the California-based firm Brown Rudnick, became an overnight sensation after she began cross-examining Amber Heard this week

As much as fans of Johnny Depp would like him to get together with his star lawyer Camille Vasquez, it could arguably put her in a legal and ethical soup as well as hurt the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' star's case.

While social media swooned over the possibility of the actor, 58, dating his silver-tongued attorney, 38, a source close to the defamation trial told ET that the rumors were "entirely, 100 percent, unequivocally untrue." Vasquez, an associate at the California-based firm Brown Rudnick, became an overnight sensation after she began cross-examining Amber Heard, 36, on Monday, May 16, producing some of the most sensational moments since the trial began nearly six weeks ago.

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Vasquez accused Heard of making up sexual assault allegations against Depp. The attorney did not hold back as she asked the actress if it was her ex-husband that got her the role in 'Aquaman', to which Heard responded by saying, "Excuse me? No, Ms. Vasquez. I got myself that role by auditioning. That's how that works." Nonetheless, Vasquez has gained a cult-like following since cross-examining the defendant.

Fans have wondered if there's anything going on between Vasquez and Depp, especially after the two appeared cozy in court after Heard was dismissed from the witness stand on Tuesday. The attorney was seen hugging the 58-year-old actor twice, patting his chest and holding his hand. Depp was seen grinning from ear to ear as he rubbed her back and locked eyes with her as she walked away. Reporters caught Vasquez as she was leaving the courthouse on Tuesday, and one asked if she was dating Depp. The lawyer, however, didn't provide an answer. She smiled and proceeded to embrace fans instead.

While many fans desperately hoped the rumors were true, some raised the alarm of a potential smear campaign that could hurt both Vasquez and Depp legally.

"@TMZ and @DailyMailUK need to fuck off with this "Camille Vasquez and Johnny Depp are dating" rumor. She's an incredible lawyer shutting down a narcissistic bitch who's trying to ruin someone's life," one disgruntled fan tweeted, responding to speculative reports about the duo dating.

"Stop talking about dating rumors and start talking about how professional and awesome she is at her job, outing an abusive monster like Amber Heard to the world," another wrote.

"...See I understand people want Depp to get the love he deserves but there’s nothing happening between Camille and Depp. First, that would be unethical and also hurt his case. Second, Camille is such an amazing lawyer and literally fought like a boss these past two days for Depp. Depp is just showing his appreciation because Camille and the rest of the team are fighting for him," someone else offered.

It's worth noting that in July 2021, the Supreme Court of Virginia rejected a proposed amendment governing “prohibited transactions." The proposal by the Virginia state bar council sought to provide that, “A lawyer shall not have sexual relations with a client unless a consensual sexual relationship existed between them when the client-lawyer relationship commenced.” However, the Supreme Court's rejection did not overrule the existing authority that, in a way, proscribes sex with clients, according to JD Supra LLC.

The existing ethics authority -- Virginia Legal Ethics Opinion 1853 -- “outlines the host of ethical problems a lawyer faces in having a sexual relationship with a client during the course of a professional engagement.” Specifically, “It is apparent that entering into a sexual relationship with a client during the course of representation can seriously harm the client’s interests. The numerous ethical obligations of a lawyer to a client are so fundamental to the attorney-client relationship that obtaining the client’s purported consent to entering into a sexual relationship with the lawyer will rarely be sufficient to eliminate any potential ethical violation. Therefore, it is the opinion of this Committee that a lawyer should refrain from entering into a sexual relationship with a client. In most situations, the client’s ability to give the informed consent required by Rule 1.7(b) is overwhelmed by the lawyer’s position of power and influence in the relationship and the client’s emotional vulnerability.”

Considering, Vasquez could potentially find herself in an ethical and legal mess if she were found to be dating Depp while representing him in court.