US EditionJada Pinkett Smith Asks Court to Make Will Smith's Former Friend Pay Her $49,000 Legal Bills
Her lawyers say the dismissed claims lacked merit and ask the court to make Salaam reimburse the cost of fighting them.
- Following a judge's April 13 ruling that largely dismissed Bilaal Salaam's $3 million emotional distress lawsuit, Jada Pinkett Smith is seeking nearly $49,000 in legal fees from her husband's former friend.
- Salaam, Will Smith's former best friend of nearly 40 years, filed the lawsuit in November 2025, alleging that Jada orchestrated a "retaliatory campaign" against him after he refused to assist with crisis management following Will's 2022 Oscars incident.
- Salaam alleged Jada threatened him to "end up missing or catch a bullet" if he continued "telling her personal business," while Jada labeled his claims "nonsense" and characterized the lawsuit as a "money shakedown."
- On April 20, Pinkett Smith's attorneys filed a motion seeking $48,975 in "reasonable attorneys' fees" incurred while striking the dismissed portions of Salaam's complaint, arguing reimbursement is warranted.
- The broader case remains active with other unresolved claims pending; the court scheduled a case management conference for May 13 and a hearing on the fee motion for May 18.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Hastings Tribune
Los Angeles TimesJada Pinkett Smith asks court to make Will Smith's former friend pay her $49,000 legal bills
LOS ANGELES — Jada Pinkett Smith is asking a judge to make Bilaal Salaam cover the $49,000 in legal fees she racked up fighting claims he made in a December lawsuit.
castanet.net
PerthNowJada Pinkett Smith seeking nearly $49,000 in legal fees from husband Will’s former pal
Jada Pinkett Smith is seeking nearly $49,000 in legal fees from Bilaal Salaam after a judge largely dismissed his $3million emotional distress lawsuit against her.
Judge orders Bilaal Salaam to pay $49,000 in legal fees to Jada Pinkett Smith after partial court victory
A US court has ordered Bilaal Salaam to pay $49,000 in legal fees to Jada Pinkett Smith after a partial legal victory. The case stems from a dispute linked to claims involving Will Smith, drawing public and legal attention.
Jada Pinkett Smith seeks $49K legal fees from Will Smith former friend
Jada Pinkett Smith is asking a judge to order Will Smith's former friend, Bilaal Salaam, to cover nearly $49,000 in legal costs after parts of his emotional distress lawsuit against her were dismissed.According to court documents...
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