It seems that Kris Humphries wants to rise above the rumors surrounding his divorce from Kim Karadashian.
In a statement posted by HollywoodLife.com on Monday, Humphries' legal team addressed recent speculation on the divorce, including a report earlier this month that the 27-year-old basketball player was demanding $7 million to end his marriage to Kardashian once and for all.
"Neither Kris Humphries nor his legal team have spread these rumors nor will they," the statement reads. "While we are encouraged to see an apparent willingness by the other side to put big numbers out in an attempt to settle Mr. Humphries’ claims, we respect and will continue to observe the integrity of the legal process. This case will be resolved not in the court of public opinion amidst ridiculous and defamatory allegations and personal attacks directed against Kris Humphries. Rather, this case will be appropriately investigated and litigated professionally and with integrity."
The statement also reveals that Humphries has hired a new legal team in Los Angeles to back his Minnesota business attorney Lee Hutton, settling a March 9 report from TMZ.com that questioned whether Humphries would be representing himself in the court proceedings. Family-law attorneys Marshall Waller and Sandra Salinas of the Beverly Hills-based law firm Feinberg & Waller will sponsor Hutton -- a requirement for out-of-state lawyers mandated by California law. Waller previously represented Michelle Rodman in her 2009 child-support case against her ex-husband, former NBA star Dennis Rodman. The attorney has also provided commentary on a number of celebrity divorce proceedings, including Arnold Schwarzenegger's split from Maria Shriver.
Kardashian -- who filed to divorce Humphries in October 2011, just 72 days after their reported $10 million wedding -- has retained celebrity divorce lawyer Laura Wasser, who in the past has represented celebs including Angelina Jolie, Kiefer Sutherland and Britney Spears in their divorce cases.