Blake Lively at the London premiere of ‘It Ends With Us’ in August.Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images
Blake Lively’s legal team is escalating their battle in court, asking for a hearing following recent public comments made by Justin Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman. The legal dispute has gained public attention, with the latest developments unfolding on Tuesday, January 22, 2025.
The conflict stems from Freedman’s release of video footage from the set of It Ends With Us, the film central to this legal battle. Freedman claimed the footage discredits Lively’s allegations against Baldoni. He also announced plans to create a website featuring additional evidence aimed at undermining Lively’s claims.
In response, Lively’s lawyers submitted a letter to the Southern District of New York on the same day, accusing Freedman of making “misleading and selective” public statements. They argued these actions violate professional standards for attorneys and risk influencing public opinion and the potential jury pool.
According to the letter, Lively’s team had previously issued two cease-and-desist letters. The first was directed to members of Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer Studios, and his publicity team. The second letter was sent directly to Freedman, urging him to stop making public statements about the case. Lively’s lawyers emphasized that Freedman’s actions are not protected under litigation privilege and warned against further defamatory remarks.
The legal team expressed concerns that Freedman’s ongoing media campaign is retaliatory and could harm both Lively’s sexual harassment case and Baldoni’s defamation case. They requested the court schedule a hearing to address Freedman’s conduct and consider a protective order to prevent further damage.
Freedman has yet to respond publicly to the latest filing, and CNN has reached out to both parties for comment.
The legal battle began in December 2024, when Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department. She alleged a hostile work environment during the filming of It Ends With Us. Her complaint detailed instances of sexual harassment by Baldoni and claimed his PR team retaliated by orchestrating a campaign to tarnish her reputation.
Baldoni has denied all allegations and filed countersuits, including a $250 million libel case against The New York Times and a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist Leslie Sloane. Baldoni’s libel case alleges the newspaper’s reporting relied on Lively’s “self-serving narrative” and contained significant inaccuracies.
In a statement to CNN, The New York Times defended its reporting, calling it meticulous and responsible. Lively’s lawyers, however, have dismissed Baldoni’s lawsuits as attempts to intimidate their client and shift the narrative.
The public feud has drawn widespread attention, with supporters on both sides debating the merits of the cases. Lively’s team insists their evidence supports her claims of harassment and retaliation, while Baldoni’s camp maintains the allegations are baseless.
The legal proceedings show no signs of slowing down, with both sides preparing for a contentious battle. As the court evaluates Lively’s request for a hearing, the dispute between these high-profile figures continues to captivate audiences.
This ongoing saga highlights the complexities of navigating legal battles in the public eye, where reputations and careers hang in the balance.
#BlakeLively #JustinBaldoni #LegalDrama #ItEndsWithUs #HollywoodControversy