The legal drama brewing between Hollywood stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni just took an interesting turn. Lively, known for her sharp wit and acting chops, scored a win in a New York courtroom. This decision affects how she’ll give her sworn statement in their ongoing legal battle.
A New York judge sided with Lively, 37, granting her request for a special "protective order." This means she gets to pick where her important testimony will happen this coming Thursday, July 17. The ruling, first reported by Deadline, lays out some clear rules. Lively’s team must set up a dedicated computer for Baldoni’s lawyers. They also need to provide printing and copying tools at the spot Lively chooses. Plus, Baldoni’s legal team has to say exactly who will be present at the deposition by Tuesday, July 15.
This decision comes after some back-and-forth between the two sides. Baldoni, 41, and Lively’s representatives have been quiet on the matter, but court documents reveal the tension.
Baldoni’s lawyers weren’t thrilled about Lively’s request. They sent a letter to the judge, saying Lively was trying to use her "celebrity status" to control the deposition. They felt she was trying to dictate the terms from a location of her choice. "Lively has made serious accusations of misconduct against the Wayfarer Parties," the letter, seen by Entertainment Weekly, stated. "Like all defendants, the Wayfarer Parties have a right to question Lively to gather key evidence. They also have the right to choose the deposition location, which they did."
However, Lively’s lawyer argued that Baldoni’s team hadn’t addressed her security and privacy worries before the deposition. These concerns grew from comments Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, had made to the press.
Freedman once suggested Lively’s testimony could happen in a very public spot. He even mentioned Madison Square Garden. "Since Ms. Lively is willing to testify, let’s make it worthwhile," he told People in May. "Hold the deposition at MSG, sell tickets or stream it. Then donate every dollar to groups that help victims of domestic violence." This kind of talk certainly raised eyebrows.
The legal fight between Lively and Baldoni began in December 2024. Lively accused her It Ends With Us co-star and director of sexual harassment. She also claimed he created a bad work environment. On top of that, she said he deliberately started a smear campaign against her.
Baldoni strongly denied these claims. He then sued Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and her publicist Leslie Sloane three months later. All three deny Baldoni’s accusations. In June, a judge dismissed the lawsuit against Lively, Reynolds, and Sloane.
Lively’s lawsuit against Baldoni is set to go to trial in March 2026. Until then, her team says she’s ready for what comes next in the legal process.
"Ms. Lively looks forward to her deposition next week," Lively’s representatives told People on Friday, July 11. "She must follow the same rules as any other witness in this case." They added, "Justin Baldoni’s lawyer has tried to turn this into a public show at every chance. This includes suggesting selling tickets for a televised deposition at Madison Square Garden. This is a serious case of sexual harassment and retaliation. It deserves to be treated that way."
