Blake Lively Wins Legal Relief in Justin Baldoni Case: Court Orders Disclosure of Deposition Attendees

Actress Blake Lively has received a legal reprieve in her ongoing court battle with It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni. A U.S. federal judge has granted her a protective order mandating Baldoni’s legal team to reveal who will be present during her upcoming deposition.

The decision, handed down by Judge Lewis J. Liman on July 14, came just days after Lively requested the order, citing concerns over potential media presence and alleged harassment tactics. The court has instructed Baldoni and his Wayfarer Studios to notify Lively of all individuals attending her deposition—scheduled for July 17—at least two days in advance.

Background of the Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni Legal Dispute

The legal dispute stems from tensions between the two on the sets of It Ends With Us. Lively filed a lawsuit in December 2024 accusing Baldoni and his publicists of orchestrating a smear campaign against her after she spoke out about alleged sexual harassment during the film’s production. In response, Baldoni filed a defamation countersuit, which was dismissed last week.

Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni: Taylor Swift Texts Enter the Chat

As part of the ongoing litigation, a judge ruled in June that Baldoni could access communications between Lively and her close friend, pop star Taylor Swift. Lively had opposed the move, claiming Baldoni was attempting to draw Swift into the case for publicity. However, the court found the messages potentially relevant to Lively’s claims and noted they were protected from media leaks under an existing protective order.

Although Baldoni’s team initially issued subpoenas to Swift and her legal counsel, Swift’s representatives clarified she had no involvement in the film beyond licensing a song. They confirmed she only viewed the movie post-release. Consequently, the subpoenas were later withdrawn.

Lively Alleges Harassment Tactics

In a recent court filing, Lively’s legal team argued that Baldoni’s side had repeatedly ignored "reasonable requests" and aimed to "manufacture a harassing publicity stunt" by allowing paparazzi and potentially unknown attendees—possibly including influencers or media—to witness the deposition.

The court ruled in her favor, mandating that Baldoni's legal team provide a list of attendees and accommodate specific logistical arrangements, including ensuring access to a computer and printing facilities during the proceedings.

Baldoni's Legal Team Denies Allegations

Baldoni’s lawyers strongly objected to Lively’s claims, labeling them as "unsupported accusations" and insisting there was no evidence of a plot to turn the deposition into a media spectacle.

What’s Next?

With the protective order in place, Lively’s deposition will proceed under controlled conditions on July 17. The legal battle has drawn significant public attention, given the high-profile names involved and the sensitive nature of the allegations.