February 22, 2025: Blake Lively has requested additional protections in her ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni, including a stronger protective order (PO) than the court’s standard one. This request was made in a letter submitted to Judge Lewis J. Liman in the Southern District of New York, where Lively’s attorneys are seeking an “Attorney’s Eyes Only” (AEO) category to safeguard highly confidential and personal information. The request comes amid Lively’s amended complaint against Baldoni, which alleges sexual harassment and retaliation on the set of the 2024 film It Ends With Us.
Lively’s legal team has raised concerns over violent, profane, sexist, and threatening communications directed at the actress, her family, cast members, and individuals supporting her. In response, Baldoni’s team condemned such threats but pointed out that they, too, have faced similar harassment during the legal dispute.
Lively’s lawsuit accuses Baldoni of inappropriate behavior on set and retaliation through a public relations campaign aimed at damaging her reputation. Baldoni has denied the allegations and filed a counterclaim, seeking $400 million in damages, while his lawyer, Bryan Freedman, plans to launch a website to refute Lively’s claims.
The legal battle has seen both sides requesting a protective order to manage the disclosure of sensitive materials. Lively’s attorneys also seek an order to prevent Freedman from making public statements or launching a media campaign. An initial hearing is scheduled for February 3, 2025, and Judge Liman has indicated that the two cases may be consolidated, with a potential trial set for March 9, 2026, unless a settlement is reached beforehand.