Judge Compels Michael Ovitz to Resume Deposition in Julia Ormond Lawsuit

Key points

• Judge Adam Silvera ruled that Ovitz inappropriately terminated his deposition and must return to answer all pending questions.
• Ovitz stormed out on June 1 after being asked about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, questioning the relevance to the Harvey Weinstein case.
• Ormond is suing CAA for arranging a 1995 meeting with Weinstein, which she alleges led to sexual assault.
• The court denied requests for an arrest warrant or contempt finding but warned Ovitz to follow court rules.
• Ormond’s attorneys praised the ruling, stating Ovitz is not above the law and must behave himself.

Background

This case stems from a 1995 incident where actress Julia Ormond alleges she was sexually assaulted by Harvey Weinstein after a meeting arranged by Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Although Michael Ovitz had left CAA by that time, he is being questioned regarding the agency's relationship with Weinstein and its handling of sexual misconduct. Emails between Ovitz and Jeffrey Epstein were disclosed earlier this year, including messages expressing interest in seeing Epstein in St. Barts.

Why it matters

The ruling ensures that key testimony regarding the agency's historical handling of misconduct and its connections to high-profile figures like Weinstein and Epstein will be fully documented, potentially impacting the outcome of the lawsuit and broader accountability in the entertainment industry.

What to watch

Ovitz is required to complete his deposition by December 18, 2026. Ormond’s legal team anticipates resuming questioning, while CAA’s lawyers have argued that the Epstein-related questions were designed to smear Ovitz’s character rather than reveal relevant case facts.