The legal dispute involving Jada Pinkett Smith and a former friend of Will Smith has taken another turn. A Los Angeles judge recently awarded the actress more than $32,000 in attorney fees after dismissing key claims brought against her by Bilaal Salaam.
The ruling marks a significant win for Jada in a case that has been making headlines since late 2025, when Salaam filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit accusing her of threatening him and damaging his reputation.
LA County Superior Court judge awarded Jada $32,836 in legal fees against ex-Will Smith associate Bilaal Salaam
According to court records obtained by TMZ, the judge awarded Jada $32,836 in legal fees. Her attorneys had initially requested $49,181, but the court reduced the amount before issuing its decision.
The lawsuit was filed by Salaam, also known as Brother Bilaal, who has long claimed he was close friends with Will Smith. In his complaint, he alleged that Jada and people associated with her threatened him after learning he was working on a memoir that would discuss his experiences with the Smith family.
Salaam also claimed he was contacted after Will’s infamous Oscars altercation with Chris Rock and asked to assist with damage control efforts. He said problems arose after he declined. Jada denied the allegations from the beginning.
Earlier this year, her legal team successfully convinced the court to dismiss several of Salaam’s emotional distress claims under California’s anti-SLAPP law, which is designed to protect individuals from meritless lawsuits tied to protected speech and legal activity.
After securing that victory, Jada sought reimbursement for the legal costs incurred while fighting those claims. The judge ultimately agreed that she was entitled to recover a portion of those expenses.
The conflict follows years of public tension between the parties. In 2023, Salaam made controversial allegations about Will Smith during an interview. Jada publicly dismissed those claims as “nonsense” and indicated legal action could follow.
While Salaam’s broader lawsuit remains unresolved, this latest ruling gives Jada a clear courtroom win.
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