Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s Legal Battle: A Protective Order Approved
The legal drama between Blake Lively and her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni has taken a significant turn. A judge recently approved Lively’s request for a protective order, aiming to prevent Baldoni from leaking sensitive material to the public. According to court documents obtained by Page Six, Lively’s legal team expressed concerns that Baldoni might release private videos, emails, and text message exchanges involving her famous friends. This ruling marks a crucial development in the ongoing case, as both parties prepare for a trial set for March 2026.
The Protective Order: What It Entails
The protective order granted by the court ensures that certain evidence, including non-public photographs, videos, audio recordings, and details about personal relationships, will remain confidential and accessible only to the attorneys involved. Additionally, medical and mental health records are also classified under this order, shielding them from public access. However, there is a significant loophole: documents cited during the trial will not be sealed, meaning the public will likely have access to some of the evidence presented in court. This balance aims to protect privacy while maintaining the transparency of legal proceedings.
Reactions to the Ruling: Lively’s Team Expresses Satisfaction
Blake Lively’s team has expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, calling it a necessary step to ensure the integrity of the discovery process. They emphasized that the ruling prevents witness intimidation and protects individuals’ security. In a statement to TMZ, Lively’s representatives highlighted that the court rejected objections from Baldoni’s team, known as the Wayfarer Parties, and implemented the protections needed to move forward with the case. They also noted that this order allows Lively to gather more evidence to support her claims in court.
Baldoni’s Team Responds: Allegations of Overreach
Justin Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, has also responded to the ruling, stating that they agree with the court’s decision to provide a narrow scope of protections. However, Freedman criticised Lively’s legal team for making an “exceedingly overbroad demand for documents” spanning a 2.5-year period, which the court reportedly rejected. Freedman alleged that Lively’s team had sought unnecessary access to private information, including mental health records, which his client had no interest in obtaining. He also accused Lively of mischaracterizing important information as “trade secrets” to hinder Baldoni’s ability to defend himself.
The Ongoing Legal Battle and Allegations
The legal conflict between Lively and Baldoni began in December 2024, when Lively sued Baldoni for sexual harassment. She alleged that he made inappropriate comments about her and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, and discussed his past struggles with a porn addiction. Baldoni countered in January by filing a $400 million countersuit and later launched a website featuring text message exchanges between him and Lively. While Baldoni has not named any of Lively’s friends in the lawsuit, he appears to reference singer Taylor Swift as a “megacelebrity friend” in the leaked evidence.
The Fight for Privacy and the Road Ahead
The judge’s ruling comes after both legal teams appeared in court on March 6 to discuss the matter. Lively’s team argued that there was a “significant chance of irreparable harm” to high-profile individuals unrelated to the case if certain communications were made public. While all parties agreed to the protective order, the case remains contentious. The public will likely gain access to some evidence during the trial, which could shed more light on the allegations. For now, both sides are preparing for the March 2026 trial, with Lively focusing on gathering evidence to prove her claims and Baldoni’s team working to contradict her allegations. This high-stakes legal battle continues to unfold, with privacy, reputation, and justice hanging in the balance.
