Blake Lively’s legal battle with Justin Baldoni has taken another turn, with her attorneys filing a formal request for a court hearing to address what they describe as “misleading and selective” public statements made by Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman.
The filing, made in the Southern District of New York on Tuesday, coincided with Freedman’s release of video footage from the set of It Ends With Us, the film at the center of the dispute. Freedman claimed the footage contradicts Lively’s allegations against Baldoni, and announced plans to launch a website featuring additional evidence aimed at discrediting her claims.
Cease-and-Desist Letters Ignored, Lawyers Say
In their filing, Lively’s legal team revealed that two cease-and-desist letters had already been issued since the actress filed her initial complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) on December 21.
The first letter was sent to members of Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer Studios, as well as his publicity team. The second letter was sent directly to Freedman, demanding that he cease making what Lively’s team described as defamatory and retaliatory public statements.
“Lawyers are not publicity agents,” the letter stated, adding that Freedman’s public comments violate professional conduct standards and are not protected by litigation privilege.
Despite these warnings, Lively’s attorneys claim that Freedman has continued to release statements and leaks to the media, creating what they describe as a “harassing and retaliatory media campaign.”
Concerns Over Jury Prejudice
Lively’s lawyers argue that Freedman’s actions jeopardize both her sexual harassment case and Baldoni’s defamation counterclaims. They believe his media campaign could taint the jury pool and are requesting a hearing to establish rules for conduct moving forward.
The legal team has also signaled their intention to seek a protective order to limit further public disclosures during the litigation. However, they emphasize the need for an immediate hearing to address Freedman’s behavior, citing the “imminent harm” caused by his statements.
A Heated Legal Battle
The dispute dates back to December, when Lively filed a complaint alleging that Baldoni created a hostile work environment during the filming of It Ends With Us. She accused him of repeated sexual harassment and claimed his public relations team retaliated with a smear campaign against her in the media.
Baldoni has categorically denied the allegations and has since filed two lawsuits of his own. In December, he filed a $250 million libel suit against The New York Times, accusing the publication of inaccuracies and bias in its reporting of Lively’s claims.
More recently, Baldoni filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist Leslie Sloane, alleging that their public comments and media strategy were part of an orchestrated attack against him.
Responses from Both Sides
The New York Times, which first reported on Lively’s CRD complaint, has stood by its reporting, describing it as “meticulously and responsibly reported.”
Lively’s legal team has characterized Baldoni’s lawsuits as retaliatory and indicative of a broader pattern of abuse. In a statement, they described his defamation claims as “another chapter in the abuser playbook,” alleging that Baldoni is attempting to silence a victim who spoke up with evidence.
Next Steps
As the legal drama unfolds, all eyes are on the court to determine how the cases will proceed. For now, Lively’s legal team is focused on ensuring fair trial proceedings by curbing public statements that they argue could influence potential jurors.
