Brad Pitt has requested a judge to compel his estranged wife, Angelina Jolie, to produce a collection of private emails in their prolonged legal battle, intensifying their dispute over business dealings. The 61-year-old actor filed court documents on October 27, accusing Jolie of deliberately withholding key communications in a lawsuit surrounding their shared interests, particularly involving a French winery they co-owned.
This move highlights the escalating tension between Pitt and Jolie, with Pitt’s legal team targeting emails exchanged between Jolie and several non-lawyer associates, as part of his focus on the Brad Pitt legal email dispute.
Details of the Email Dispute and Key Communications Sought
Pitt’s legal filing demands the release of emails between Jolie and her business manager Terry Bird, British publicists Chloe Dalton and Arminka Helic, as well as two financial consultants. According to Pitt, Jolie described in her own declaration that she frequently engages in lengthy conversations with Bird about nearly all aspects of her professional and business life, which includes topics of legal advice and planned strategies.
He argues that these exchanges between non-attorneys, even if related to legal advice, should not be exempt from disclosure in the litigation. Pitt stated,
“What Jolie is describing here are brainstorming sessions between non-lawyers. The fact that these brainstorming sessions may have followed or preceded advice from a lawyer on the same general topic or a related topic does not shield them from [being turned over].”
Furthermore, Pitt accuses Jolie of withholding almost all internal communications from Bird regarding the sale of her stake in Chateau Miraval, the core subject of their dispute. He noted,
“has categorically withheld such communications, including the entirety of all but one of Bird’s internal communications discussing the terms of the sale of her interest in Chateau Miraval to the [third party] — the key transaction at issue in this litigation.”
Regarding emails with her British publicists, Pitt’s filing stresses that no lawyers were copied on those communications, raising questions about their claimed confidentiality. He challenged the necessity of involving image consultants in discussions about legal advice connected to the sale of their joint property, saying,
“British image consultants was reasonably necessary to receive legal advice regarding the sale of the French home and winery she owned.”
Prolonged Litigation and Email Production Delays
After more than three years of legal proceedings, Pitt notes that Jolie has produced only a single internal email referencing the sale terms, which he finds suspicious given the volume of correspondence that likely exists. He expressed frustration, saying Jolie has declined to voluntarily submit emails for an in-person court review, which he believes would be the simplest way to demonstrate that only privileged communications were withheld. Pitt commented,
“It is odd that Jolie has declined to do so, given that it would presumably be the easiest way to meet her burden to show that she has redacted only privileged legal advice.”
Origins of the Dispute Over Chateau Miraval Ownership
The ongoing dispute revolves around Chateau Miraval, a French winery famously purchased by Pitt and Jolie during their marriage. Pitt alleges Jolie sold her interest in the winery to a third party without his consent, a violation he claims because he says he helped develop the business and believed his approval was required for such a transaction. Jolie denies needing Pitt’s permission to proceed with the sale.
Both parties have repeatedly sought documents and information from each other to bolster their conflicting accounts. Pitt’s legal team insists that Jolie has been slow to disclose emails from advisers connected to her side, while Jolie maintains that many of the requested emails involve legal matters and remain protected by attorney-client privilege. As a result, Jolie has asked the court to sanction Pitt by ordering him to pay her $33,000 in legal fees resulting from the dispute over producing the emails.
Clarification on Attorney-Client Privilege and Legal Arguments
In his motion, Pitt clarified that he is not seeking communications involving Jolie’s lawyers directly, but rather emails exchanged between non-lawyer associates that do not qualify for privilege protection. Jolie’s attorney, Paul Murphy, responded firmly, emphasizing their position against the motion. He said,
“Mr. Pitt’s reply brief does not address our arguments and continues to rely on conjecture and speculation – all for the purpose of invading her privileged communications with her lawyers. This once again confirms that this lawsuit is the manifestation of Mr. Pitt’s years-long effort to harass and control Angelina. We look forward to the upcoming hearing.”
Angelina Jolie’s Opposition and Court Filings
On October 6, Jolie submitted a declaration opposing the order to produce the emails, reinforcing her claim of privilege and privacy. Her legal team described Pitt’s motion as unwelcome and pressured him to withdraw it. Jolie’s counsel wrote,
“Jolie, through counsel, repeatedly asked Pitt to withdraw [the motion]. She even warned him numerous times that if the Court denied Pitt’s motion, Jolie would ask the Court to order Pitt to pay Jolie’s attorneys’ fees opposing the motion.”
Her lawyers asserted that when Pitt refused to withdraw, Jolie requested the court require him to reimburse her for substantial legal costs incurred. Jolie also shared the emotional toll the divorce case has taken on her and their children, underscoring the personal difficulty behind the legal battle.
The Impact of the Winery Dispute on Angelina Jolie and Family
Jolie reflected on the significance of Chateau Miraval to their family, recalling it as a key investment and place filled with important memories. She stated,
“Miraval was one of the first major investments we made together, and it was a focal point of our family life. We were married there, I spent part of my pregnancy there and I brought our twin children home there from the hospital.”
She added that the disruption caused by the dispute has been especially hard on their children, noting,
“To have such a sudden break from my home and memories has been hard, and it was especially difficult for the children to have their lives so disrupted.”
Failed Negotiations and Allegations from Both Sides
Pitt claims Jolie approached him in 2021 expressing her intention to sell her share of the winery, which led him and his representatives to attempt a purchase, reportedly offering over $55 million. According to Pitt, the deal collapsed after he requested Jolie sign a non-disclosure agreement, which she reportedly saw as a way to restrict her ability to discuss his behavior unrelated to business matters. Jolie refused to sign, and shortly thereafter, she sold her stake to a company named Stoli.
Pitt has accused Stoli of attempting a hostile takeover, while Stoli’s team countersued Pitt, accusing him of misappropriating company assets—claims Pitt denies. Although the parties have not yet set a trial date, Pitt anticipates a hearing lasting about 15 days to resolve the ongoing disputes.
