Ashley Judd wins appeal to pursue sexual harassment case against Harvey Weinstein

An appeals court has ruled that Ashley Judd can pursue a sexual harassment claim against Harvey Weinstein.

The court  found that Weinstein held power over her career when he  invited the emerging actress to his room at the Peninsula Hotel in the mid-1990s.

The three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday reversed the lower court, which had thrown out the claim on the grounds that Judd was not Weinstein’s employee at the time of the meeting.

"Their relationship consisted of an inherent power imbalance wherein Weinstein was uniquely situated to exercise coercion or leverage over Judd by virtue of his professional position and influence as a top producer in Hollywood," wrote Judge Mary H. Murguia, for the panel. "Therefore, the district court erred when it dismissed Judd’s sexual harassment claim."

She  brought the suit after "Lord of the Rings" director Peter Jackson revealed in an interview that Miramax had discouraged him from casting Judd and Mira Sorvino, saying they could be a "nightmare to work with."

Judge Philip Gutierrez allowed Judd to proceed with the retaliation and defamation claims.

The case will now head back to the lower court and proceed on all claims.

Theodore Boutrous, who represents Judd in the case, praised the ruling.

In February, Weinstein was convicted in New York City of committing third-degree rape and a first-degree criminal sexual act, and later sentenced to 23 years in jail.