The deposition of Blake Lively has been postponed amid her escalating legal dispute with Justin Baldoni, according to documents obtained on July 16. Originally scheduled for July 17 in New York City, the deposition is now set for July 31 after both legal teams agreed to a delay following the dismissal of social media consultant Jed Wallace from the case over jurisdictional grounds.
Legal Teams Respond to Wallace’s Dismissal and Case Developments
Jed Wallace’s dismissal was made without prejudice, allowing Blake Lively the option to refile by July 30. Both camps require additional time to review the complaint as this change may affect the upcoming deposition. A spokesperson for Lively emphasized that the court’s decision pertained solely to jurisdiction and not to the substance of allegations, stating,
“Ms. Lively respects the Court’s decision, which has nothing to do with the merits of her allegations about Mr. Wallace’s role in the smear campaign and relates solely to the procedural question of whether he is subject to jurisdiction in New York or elsewhere. We currently are evaluating our numerous options for holding Mr. Wallace accountable for the pivotal role he served in the retaliatory effort that Justin Baldoni and the Wayfarer Parties paid him at least tens of thousands of dollars a month to perform.” —Lively’s spokesperson
Us Weekly has sought remarks from Baldoni’s legal representatives regarding the status of the case.
Baldoni’s Team Accuses Lively of Leveraging Celebrity Status
Justin Baldoni’s lawyers have accused Blake Lively of attempting to use her fame to influence the deposition process. In previously obtained correspondence, Baldoni’s camp underscored the defendants’ right to depose Lively and determine the deposition location, stating,
“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.” —Letter from Baldoni’s legal team
Background of the Legal Conflict Between Lively and Baldoni
The legal dispute began in December 2024 when Blake Lively filed a lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment, the creation of a toxic work environment, and the orchestration of a smear campaign against her. Baldoni, 41, vehemently denied these claims and retaliated by countersuing Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and publicist Leslie Sloane for civil extortion and defamation. All defendants denied the counterclaims.
In June, Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed Baldoni’s countersuit against Lively and the others. Lively’s attorneys hailed the dismissal as a major victory, commenting,
“Today’s opinion is a total victory and a complete vindication for Blake Lively, along with those that Justin Baldoni and the Wayfarer Parties dragged into their retaliatory lawsuit, including Ryan Reynolds, Leslie Sloane and The New York Times,”
“As we have said from day one, this ‘$400 million’ lawsuit was a sham, and the Court saw right through it. We look forward to the next round, which is seeking attorneys’ fees, treble damages and punitive damages against Baldoni, Sarowitz, Nathan, and the other Wayfarer Parties who perpetrated this abusive litigation.” —Lively’s legal team
Baldoni’s Denial and Plans to Continue Legal Defense
Despite the dismissal, Baldoni’s lawyers maintained that the allegations lack merit. Represented by Bryan Freedman, Baldoni’s side stated in June,
“The Court’s decision on the motion to dismiss has no effect whatsoever on the truth that there was no harassment nor any smear campaign, and it does not in any way affect our vigorous defense against Ms. Lively’s claims,”
“Discovery is proceeding and we are confident that we will prevail against these factually baseless accusations. Instead of revising the existing claims, our clients will be pursuing additional legal options that are available to us.” —Bryan Freedman, Baldoni’s attorney
The judge had allowed Baldoni the chance to amend his countersuit by June 23, although he opted not to make any changes.
Upcoming Trial and Ongoing Legal Proceedings
The legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni is far from resolution, as the trial is scheduled for March 2026. The delay in Lively’s deposition underscores the continuing tension and strategic maneuvering between the parties as the case progresses. Both camps are preparing for a contentious courtroom showdown, with significant implications for all involved.
This lawsuit has drawn considerable attention due to the serious nature of the accusations and the high-profile individuals involved, adding pressure for a thorough legal examination of the claims and defenses ahead of the trial.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Blake Lively a Nepo baby?
A. She might not openly show off her Hollywood background, but it’s present. She didn’t become famous in the typical child star way, but her journey to fame wasn’t entirely by accident.
Q. Did Blake Lively have her 4th?
A. In February 2023, Lively revealed that she and Reynolds had quietly had their fourth child, a son named Olin, who is 2 years old.
Q. How much weight did Blake Lively lose after pregnancy? Blake lost over 60 pounds, going from 203 to 143 pounds in about 14 months.
A. What is Blake Lively’s weight?
Q. Did Blake Lively have surgery?
A. Christiana mentioned that Blake keeps her excellent shape by eating a balanced diet. Her workout plan is also important for staying fit. She exercises four to five times each week, combining strength training, cardio, and functional movements.
