Jada Pinkett Smith Seeks Nearly $50,000 in Legal Fees After Partial Court Win in $3M Lawsuit

Jada Pinkett Smith is asking a California court to order a man who sued her to pay nearly $50,000 in legal fees after she won part of the case.

In a motion filed April 20, Pinkett Smith requested $49,181.23 from Bilaal Salaam, also known as Brother Bilaal. The amount covers attorney fees she says she incurred while successfully challenging parts of his lawsuit under California’s anti-SLAPP law. She is also seeking additional costs related to the new motion.

Salaam filed a $3 million lawsuit in December 2025. He accused Pinkett Smith of intentional infliction of emotional distress, claiming she threatened him during an encounter in 2021 and later made public statements that harmed his reputation.

Pinkett Smith responded by asking the court to dismiss the complaint under California’s anti-SLAPP statute. That law is designed to quickly dismiss claims that arise from protected speech or legal activity, such as statements made in anticipation of litigation.

Her legal team argued that some of Salaam’s claims were based on protected actions, including a cease-and-desist letter he received and later discussed publicly. According to the motion, such correspondence is considered confidential pre-litigation communication and is protected under state law.

The court sided with Pinkett Smith on key issues, striking three of Salaam’s claims related to emotional distress. Her latest filing states that she “prevailed” on the anti-SLAPP motion and is therefore entitled to recover legal fees.

The dispute stems in part from statements Salaam made in a 2023 interview, where he alleged he witnessed actor Will Smith in a sexual situation. Pinkett Smith denied those claims at the time, calling them false and saying she was considering legal action.

Salaam’s lawsuit argued that Pinkett Smith instead carried out a public smear campaign through interviews rather than filing a case against him.

The court has not yet ruled on Pinkett Smith’s request for legal fees.