A federal judge ruled in favor of actress Blake Lively on August 8, preventing Justin Baldoni’s legal team from using her deposition transcript in their lawsuit against her until the document is finalized. The ruling, related to Lively’s sexual harassment and retaliation case against Baldoni, marks a significant development in the highly contested lawsuit. Baldoni, who denies all allegations, faces restrictions on sharing the deposition, an important piece of evidence in the case.
Legal Dispute Over Deposition Transcript Submission and Public Disclosure
Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, previously submitted part of the deposition transcript under seal as part of a recent court motion. Lively’s attorneys challenged this action, arguing that attaching the full transcript, comprising 292 pages, was improper and premature without a final review and correction. Lively emphasized her willingness to provide testimony but objected to the premature use of the deposition in public filings.
She accused Baldoni’s team of submitting the transcript
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solely for strategic media and public-relations purposes.
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—Blake Lively’s legal representatives
Freedman countered by stating that the transcript was appropriately filed under seal and questioned why Lively wanted to keep her own testimony confidential at this stage of the lawsuit.
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Lively has the option of moving to keep the document sealed; although it is puzzling why she seeks to conceal her own testimony in an action in which she is the plaintiff,
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—Bryan Freedman, Justin Baldoni’s lawyer
Judge Condemns Baldoni’s Team for Using Deposition Transcript to Create Public Speculation
In the court’s detailed order, the judge criticized Baldoni’s team for submitting the entire deposition rather than only the relevant excerpts cited in their letter, calling the move “without proper litigation purpose.” The judge remarked that including nearly 300 pages appeared designed to overwhelm Lively and the court while provoking public scandal rather than contributing meaningfully to the case.
The judge stated,
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[Baldoni’s team’s] attachment of the entire, nearly 300-page deposition — after citing only two pages of it in the Letter — served no proper litigation purpose and instead appears to have been intended to burden Lively (and as a result, the Court) and to invite public speculation and scandal.
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Further, the judge noted that even if the cited portions were relevant, Baldoni’s team failed to justify the inclusion of the entire transcript, adding
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The conclusion is inescapable that [Baldoni’s team] filed gratuitous amounts of irrelevant pages so that, if Lively moved for continued sealing of the irrelevant pages, the [Baldoni’s team] could then use Lively’s response for their own public-relations purposes. The Court has not only the power but also the responsibility to step in,
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ordering several filings to be sealed.
Background on the Lawsuit and Upcoming Trial
The lawsuit centers around accusations from Lively that Baldoni engaged in sexual harassment and retaliation on the set of the film It Ends With Us, which Baldoni directed and starred in. Lively alleges that Baldwin’s team hired a public relations firm to damage her reputation after she spoke out. Baldoni has denied these claims, contending that Lively took control over aspects of the film after production concluded.
Lively’s deposition took place on July 31, with Baldoni present in the room while his attorneys questioned her. Trial proceedings for the case are scheduled to begin in March 2026, as both sides prepare to present further evidence and testimony.
Lively’s Legal Team Reacts to Court Ruling and Depositions Ahead
Following the court’s decision, a spokesperson for Blake Lively expressed satisfaction with the outcome related to her deposition. They underscored the confidential nature of deposition testimony, emphasizing the importance of handling such evidence under court supervision.
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We are very pleased with the outcome of her deposition, and now look forward to deposing Justin Baldoni and each of the codefendants in short order. Deposition testimony is confidential for good reason – it’s evidence in a legal proceeding and is subject to objections and evidentiary rules. Juries aren’t just handed deposition transcripts to read at home, and instead they listen to testimony that is presented at trial under a judge’s supervision.
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—Blake Lively’s spokesperson
Implications of the Court’s Decision for the Lawsuit’s Progress
The judge’s order to seal portions of the deposition transcript and prevent Baldoni’s team from using the material prematurely reflects an effort by the court to maintain order and fairness during the pretrial phase. By rejecting tactics perceived as aiming to manipulate public opinion, the ruling helps preserve the integrity of the legal process and sets clear boundaries for both parties.
With the trial not scheduled until 2026, the ruling promises tighter control over how sensitive testimony is shared and presented. This development also signals the judge’s vigilance against attempts to exploit the court’s docket for media advantage, underscoring the serious tone of the case as it continues to unfold.
