Blake Lively has secured a legal win in her ongoing sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, her co-star and director on the film It Ends With Us. On Monday, Judge Lewis J. Liman ruled that Lively could select the location for her upcoming deposition, scheduled for Thursday, July 17, in New York. This decision follows Lively’s petition for a protective order seeking a confidential deposition site and pre-approval of all individuals attending the session.
Ruling Details and Requirements for Both Parties
According to the court‘s directive, while Lively may designate the space for her deposition, she must ensure Baldoni’s legal team has adequate resources, including a dedicated computer and the capability to print and copy documents during the event. Additionally, Baldoni’s attorneys are required to disclose the identities of all attendees to Lively’s representatives no later than midday on July 15. This measure aims to provide transparency and protect privacy throughout the proceedings.
Justin Baldoni’s Team Challenges Lively’s Request
Before the ruling, Baldoni’s legal counsel opposed Lively’s motion in a letter addressed to Judge Liman. They criticized her demand as an effort to leverage her celebrity status to control the deposition’s logistics. As stated in their letter,
“Lively is a plaintiff who has hurled serious allegations of misconduct against the Wayfarer Parties. Like all defendants, the Wayfarer Parties are entitled to depose Lively to develop evidence crucial to their defense. They are also entitled to choose the location of the deposition, which they did.”
—Baldoni’s Legal Team
Concerns Over Publicity and Safety Raised by Lively’s Side
Lively’s legal filing accused Baldoni and the Wayfarer defendants of intending to create a harassing publicity stunt by requiring her to face paparazzi or permitting unknown attendees, which could include media and social media influencers. The filing warned of potential abusive tactics during the deposition, seeking to block Baldoni’s team from dictating the venue. Lively’s counsel also highlighted that Baldoni’s representatives have not addressed important concerns related to her safety and privacy. They stated,
“Since virtually the inception of this litigation, Defendants have used even the prospect of Ms. Lively’s deposition to generate press interest.”
—Lively’s Attorney
Baldoni’s Proposal to Host Deposition at Madison Square Garden
During earlier statements reported in May, Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman suggested holding Lively’s deposition at Madison Square Garden (MSG), proposing that tickets could be sold or it could be streamed online, with any proceeds donated to organizations supporting domestic abuse victims. Freedman said,
“Since Ms. Lively is open to testifying, let’s make it count. Hold the deposition at MSG, sell tickets or stream it, and donate every dollar to organizations helping victims of domestic abuse.”
—Bryan Freedman, Attorney for Justin Baldoni
Lively’s Team Condemns Proposal as Spectacle and Reaffirms Serious Nature of Case
A spokesperson for Blake Lively responded on July 11, expressing eagerness for the deposition but emphasizing the need for it to adhere to standard legal procedures. They stated,
“Looking forward to her deposition next week, and it should follow the same rules as every other witness in this case. Justin Baldoni’s lawyer has tried to make this matter a public spectacle at every turn, even proposing to sell tickets to a televised deposition at Madison Square Garden. This is a serious matter of sexual harassment and retaliation and it deserves to be treated as such.”
—Representative for Blake Lively
Background on the Legal Conflict Between Lively and Baldoni
The dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni publicly surfaced in December when Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department alleging sexual harassment on the set of It Ends With Us and accusing Baldoni of orchestrating a smear campaign against her afterward. Following this, Lively initiated a lawsuit in New York federal court against Baldoni and Wayfarer, the production company. In response, Baldoni countersued, accusing Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, of hijacking the project and conducting a smear campaign against him. Baldoni sought at least $400 million in damages, but Judge Liman dismissed his lawsuit last month.
Next Steps in High-Profile Legal Battle
The upcoming deposition marks a crucial phase in this contentious legal battle. With the judge’s ruling granting Blake Lively control over her deposition location, her team gains critical protections against potential publicity or disruptions that might affect her testimony. The case is scheduled to proceed to trial in March 2026, with both parties continuing to navigate a tense and complex dispute involving serious allegations and widespread media attention.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Blake Lively a Nepo baby?
A. She doesn’t openly show off her Hollywood connections, but they exist. Even though she didn’t start in big movies as a child, her rise to fame wasn’t just by chance.
Q. Why are Taylor Swift and Blake Lively fighting?
A. Blake Lively is accused of putting pressure on Taylor Swift during a legal dispute with Justin Baldoni. This conflict started while they worked on the movie “It Ends With Us.” In a recent court document, Baldoni states that Lively tried to coerce Swift into publicly siding with her.
Q. Why did Taylor Swift unfriend Blake Lively?
A. Blake Lively and Taylor Swift, who used to be very close, have apparently grown apart. Reports suggest that Lively is no longer in Swift’s close group of friends because of a disagreement over her legal issues with co-star Justin Baldoni.
