The intensifying legal conflict between acclaimed actress Blake Lively and actor-director Justin Baldoni is set to escalate this Thursday, July 17, as Lively prepares for her deposition.
In a significant win for Lively, a judge has ruled that her testimony will take place at her legal team's office, a decision that comes despite strong objections from Baldoni's attorneys.
The dispute, which has captivated Hollywood, began in December 2024 when Lively filed a lawsuit accusing Baldoni, her co-star and director on the film "It Ends With Us," of sexual harassment, fostering a hostile work environment, and orchestrating a smear campaign against her.
Baldoni vehemently denied these claims and, in March 2025, responded with a $400 million countersuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and her publicist Leslie Sloane, alleging defamation and civil extortion.
However, this countersuit was dismissed by U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman in June 2025.
The recent courtroom drama centered on the location of Lively's upcoming deposition. Baldoni's legal team, led by attorney Bryan Freedman, pushed for the deposition to occur at their own offices, claiming Lively was attempting to leverage her celebrity status to dictate terms.
Freedman's team also controversially suggested turning the deposition into a public spectacle, even proposing to sell tickets for a televised event at Madison Square Garden.
Lively's legal representatives, however, argued for a private setting at their offices, citing concerns about potential paparazzi ambushes and ensuring the seriousness of the matter.
The judge ultimately sided with Lively, granting her request and ruling that the deposition proceed at her lawyers' location.
This decision provides Lively a degree of control over the environment as she prepares to face questioning under oath.
Following the dismissal of Baldoni's countersuit, Lively released a statement reflecting on the experience, emphasizing her resolve to "continue to stand for every woman's right to have a voice in protecting themselves — including their safety, their integrity, their dignity, and their story."
Conversely, Baldoni's legal team has stated their intention to challenge Lively's allegations rigorously, asserting they possess video footage, text messages, and emails that will be presented during the proceedings.
The broader trial is scheduled for March 2026 in New York and is anticipated to be one of Hollywood's most closely watched legal battles, with both Lively and Baldoni expected to testify.
What are your thoughts on the escalating legal battles in Hollywood and the public nature of these disputes? Share your opinions and comments below!
In a significant win for Lively, a judge has ruled that her testimony will take place at her legal team's office, a decision that comes despite strong objections from Baldoni's attorneys.
The dispute, which has captivated Hollywood, began in December 2024 when Lively filed a lawsuit accusing Baldoni, her co-star and director on the film "It Ends With Us," of sexual harassment, fostering a hostile work environment, and orchestrating a smear campaign against her.
Baldoni vehemently denied these claims and, in March 2025, responded with a $400 million countersuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and her publicist Leslie Sloane, alleging defamation and civil extortion.
However, this countersuit was dismissed by U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman in June 2025.
The recent courtroom drama centered on the location of Lively's upcoming deposition. Baldoni's legal team, led by attorney Bryan Freedman, pushed for the deposition to occur at their own offices, claiming Lively was attempting to leverage her celebrity status to dictate terms.
Freedman's team also controversially suggested turning the deposition into a public spectacle, even proposing to sell tickets for a televised event at Madison Square Garden.
Lively's legal representatives, however, argued for a private setting at their offices, citing concerns about potential paparazzi ambushes and ensuring the seriousness of the matter.
The judge ultimately sided with Lively, granting her request and ruling that the deposition proceed at her lawyers' location.
This decision provides Lively a degree of control over the environment as she prepares to face questioning under oath.
Following the dismissal of Baldoni's countersuit, Lively released a statement reflecting on the experience, emphasizing her resolve to "continue to stand for every woman's right to have a voice in protecting themselves — including their safety, their integrity, their dignity, and their story."
Conversely, Baldoni's legal team has stated their intention to challenge Lively's allegations rigorously, asserting they possess video footage, text messages, and emails that will be presented during the proceedings.
The broader trial is scheduled for March 2026 in New York and is anticipated to be one of Hollywood's most closely watched legal battles, with both Lively and Baldoni expected to testify.
What are your thoughts on the escalating legal battles in Hollywood and the public nature of these disputes? Share your opinions and comments below!
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