In the ongoing legal saga involving Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, a recent development has caused a stir. It has come to light that Blake Lively has rejected Justin Baldoni’s lawyer for her deposition. But what does this decision truly signify?
According to a statement in Fritz’s letter, it was mentioned that there is no known justification for the deposed party to have a say in selecting which attorney conducts their deposition. It was emphasized that in legal proceedings, individuals involved do not have the authority to dictate the choice of opposing counsel for various aspects of the case.
The legal battle between Lively, 37, and Wayfarer Studios, Justin Baldoni, and others has been intense. Lively filed a lawsuit in December 2024, alleging allegations of sexual harassment and a smear campaign in response to her speaking out about alleged misconduct. On the other hand, Baldoni, 41, has refuted the sexual harassment claims and retaliated by countersuing Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, 48, and their publicist on grounds of defamation and extortion.
Scheduled for trial on March 9, 2026, the cases in Lively v. Wayfarer Studios et al. are under the jurisdiction of Judge Liman, as outlined in a recent court filing on Jan. 27.
Recent developments have seen tensions rise further, with Freedman, a key figure in the case, releasing a video and planning to disclose more through a website. This prompted Lively’s legal team to call for a conference to address the conduct of counsel, citing concerns about potential jury influence.
In response to these events, both Lively and Reynolds are gearing up for the next phase of their legal battle. Their legal team has expressed intentions to seek a dismissal of the plaintiffs’ complaint, as indicated in a letter submitted to Judge Liman by Michael J. Gottlieb, representing Lively, Reynolds, and Wayfarer Studios LLC.
As the legal drama continues to unfold, all eyes are on the upcoming pre-trial conference and the potential implications for both parties involved. Stay tuned for more updates on this riveting courtroom showdown.
