Jada Pinkett Smith Seeks $49,000 in Fees After Partial Lawsuit Dismissal

Jada Pinkett Smith has filed a motion in Los Angeles Superior Court seeking nearly $49,000 in attorney fees from Bilaal Salaam, a former associate of her husband Will Smith, following a judge's partial dismissal of Salaam's $3 million emotional distress lawsuit against her.

The request, detailed in court documents, comes after a ruling on April 13 that struck down most of Salaam's claims. Pinkett Smith's legal team argues that the dismissed portions lacked merit and imposed unnecessary costs, totaling $48,975 in reasonable fees. They also seek a full ruling in her favor on the remaining issues, with no award to Salaam. A case management conference is scheduled for May 13, and a hearing on the fee motion is set for May 18.

Salaam, who described himself as a longtime friend of Will Smith, filed the suit in November 2025. He alleged that Pinkett Smith confronted him at a 2021 party and threatened him after he discussed aspects of her personal life, warning that he could "end up missing or catch a bullet" if he continued. Salaam further claimed that after the 2022 Academy Awards, where Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock onstage, he was asked to assist with crisis management but...