A Los Angeles judge has ruled that Jada Pinkett Smith is to receive more than $32,000 in legal fees from Bilaal Salaam, a former friend and associate of Will Smith who filed a $3 million lawsuit against her last year.
Per court documents obtained by People, Salaam — who is also known as Brother Bilaal — was ordered on May 18 to pay Pinkett Smith $32,836 in attorney fees and other legal-related expenses. The decision came after Pinkett Smith submitted a motion in April requesting close to $50,000 after partially winning in court under California’s anti-SLAPP law.
The judge eventually lowered the amount requested, noting that some members of Jada Pinkett Smith’s legal team charged unusually high hourly fees and appeared to spend too much time preparing motions despite their level of experience.
Even with the reduction, the court still ruled mostly in Pinkett Smith’s favor.
Bilaal Salaam also tried to lessen the payment by claiming financial hardship, but the court rejected the argument because it had not been properly introduced in earlier filings.
The legal battle traces back to a lawsuit Salaam filed in December 2025, in which he accused Pinkett Smith of threatening him during a 2021 meeting at the Regency Calabasas Commons hotel in California.
In the complaint, Salaam claimed Pinkett Smith confronted him during a private birthday gathering for Will Smith and allegedly warned that if he kept “telling her personal business,” he would “end up missing or catch a bullet.”
Salaam also alleged that Pinkett Smith and individuals connected to the Smith family launched a retaliatory campaign against him after he publicly spoke about the couple in interviews while promoting what he called a whistleblower memoir. The lawsuit included accusations of emotional distress and damage to his reputation.
Pinkett Smith had already denied the claims publicly before the lawsuit was filed. During a 2023 appearance on The Breakfast Club, she described Salaam’s allegations as “nonsense.” She also revealed that she and Will Smith planned to take legal action over his public comments.
One major issue in the recent court proceedings centered around a cease-and-desist letter sent to Salaam by attorneys representing the Smiths. Pinkett Smith’s legal team argued that the confidential correspondence was protected under California law and should not have been used as the foundation for parts of Salaam’s lawsuit.
Court records show the judge partially agreed, removing several allegations tied to public remarks and the cease-and-desist letter itself.
The next hearing in the case is set for Aug. 19 after the court denied Salaam’s request for a trial.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, harassment, or threats, support is available through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or by visiting RAINN for confidential help and resources.
