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Who is Kathleen Zellner? How Camille Vasquez almost didn't make Johnny Depp's legal team

Camille Vasquez wouldn't have hit the limelight if Depp had hired his original choice, which was Kathleen Zellner

The world cannot get enough of the Johnny Depp-AmberHeard trial which is easily one of the most high-profile defamation suits of all time. However, there's one person in particular who has managed to steal the spotlight, i.e., Depp's junior attorney Camille Vasquez. The feisty lawyer has managed to gain a fan base simply because she's not putting up with any drama.

However, did you know that Depp almost hired someone else? Well, this epic lawyer that we now know wouldn't have hit the limelight if Depp had hired his original choice, which was Kathleen Zellner. Fans love how Vasquez grills Amber Heard and their reactions go viral. The world is coming in support of 'The Pirates of the Caribbean' superstar and Vasquez is surely getting her well-deserved piece. But all this wouldn't have been possible.

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According to Daily Mail, the attorney superstar only got this role because Depp did not hire Zellner. Depp was mesmerized by Zellner's star power, especially after seeing her in Netflix's 'Making a Murderer'. After hours of binge-watching Zellner on the show, he was convinced by the way she fought for the clear convicted Steven Avery. So, he thought that Zellner, 64, would be the right fit. However, Depp's team discarded the plan of bringing this star lawyer on board to grill the 'Aquaman' actress. The head of his legal team, Ben Chew called quits on this plan and handed the case over to an associate. Well, who? Camille Vasquez. If you're wondering who Zellner is, let's take a look.

Who is Kathleen Zellner?

Some might be wondering who exactly Zellner is. Well, she gained some serious traction after the Netflix series and became a star lawyer. Originally hailing from Midland, Texas, she is well known for advocating on behalf of wrongful convictions. Some of the most notable clients that she has handled are Steven Avery, Ryan W. Ferguson, Larry Eyler, and 19 other exonerees. The lawyer received her Juris Doctor from the Northern Illinois University College of Law in 1981. By March 2016, she had won almost $90 million in wrongful convictions and medical malpractice lawsuits!

According to sources, Depp was taken aback by her star power. The sources say, "Johnny became aware of Kathleen Zellner while watching Making a Murderer and was impressed by her. The plan was always to have a female attorney cross-examine Amber." Depp and the team knew that Zellner had the required star power and the 'big' reputation that was needed.

However, the team realized that the decision to bring her on board was a little too late. They knew that it was tough to bring Zellner up to speed and she was only left out due to lack of time. This is where Vasquez got lucky. But it was a blessing in disguise because her bonding with Depp is something to adore and the way she fights for her client is commendable. So much so that even Zellner rushed to the scene to compliment Vasquez via a tweet saying, "Camille Vasquez is the unrivaled star of the Depp trial. Her measured tone, incisive questions, total command of the facts, and clear belief in her client are laudable. #TruthWins."