Blake Lively Seeks Judge's Intervention Over Alleged Deposition Misconduct By Justin Baldoni's Legal Team

Blake Lively has asked a federal judge to intervene in her legal dispute with Justin Baldoni, accusing his attorneys of misconduct during discovery.

The actress's legal team is seeking sanctions and a second deposition for one expert witness, with her case, which includes allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation, set for trial in May 2026.

Meanwhile, Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni are scheduled to attend a mandatory settlement conference in New York on February 11.

Lively’s attorneys have demanded that a federal judge intervene in her ongoing legal dispute with Baldoni, accusing his legal team of repeated misconduct during the discovery process.

In a letter dated December 19 and addressed to U.S. District Court Judge Lewis J. Liman, Lively’s lawyers request sanctions against Baldoni’s attorneys, alleging they crossed professional and ethical lines during depositions.

Court filings reviewed by People Magazine claim opposing counsel posed intrusive questions about Lively’s sexual and romantic past, topics her legal team argues are irrelevant and inappropriate to the case.

According to the filing, Baldoni’s lawyers also displayed what Lively’s attorneys describe as a “basic lack of decorum,” including frequent speaking objections, interruptions, and behavior they say was demeaning toward witnesses.

Attorney Michael J. Gottlieb wrote that defense counsel repeatedly disrupted depositions, even those they were not directly defending, using the time to lecture and belittle participants on the record.

Lively’s legal team says they previously warned Baldoni’s attorneys to stop. A September 29 letter referenced in the filing formally objected to what they called “unprofessional behavior,” drawing a firm boundary against any questioning related to Lively’s sexual or romantic history.

Her attorneys argued such inquiries are prohibited and cited rape shield laws designed to prevent that type of examination in court.

In addition to seeking sanctions, Lively is also requesting that one of Baldoni’s expert witnesses be ordered to undergo a second deposition.

Her attorneys claim the first session was compromised after defense counsel allegedly “impeded, delayed, and frustrated the fair examination.” They are also seeking reimbursement for costs tied to the additional deposition.

The case is currently scheduled for trial on May 18, 2026. Lively initially filed suit in December of last year, accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment, retaliation, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. She alleges he engaged in body shaming and coordinated efforts to damage her public image.

Her lawsuit names several additional defendants, including Baldoni’s company Wayfarer Studios, its CEO and financial backer, and publicists Nathan and Abel.

Baldoni has denied the allegations and previously filed a lawsuit seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in damages against The New York Times over its reporting on the dispute.

He later expanded that suit to include Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and her publicist Leslie Sloane, though the case was dismissed in June.

Meanwhile, Lively and Baldoni, along with their legal teams, are scheduled to attend a settlement conference on Wednesday, February 11, in an effort to resolve the dispute related to “It Ends With Us.”

The meeting was ordered on December 18 by U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave and will take place at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

The order emphasizes that "the presence of each party (the client), in addition to counsel, is essential to the settlement process."

Legal analyst Gregory Doll, a Los Angeles-based partner at Amir Doll and Eley who is not involved in the case, told People that parties are almost always required to be present.

“Almost 100 percent of the time, the parties are required to personally attend the settlement conference,” he explained. “Rarely are they excused and seldom allowed to appear by phone. The magistrate judge wants them there for maximum force and effect.”

According to the court order, Judge Cave also instructed Lively’s legal team to submit a formal settlement proposal to Baldoni by January 28, with his response due by February 4.

The document further outlines how the conference will proceed. Each side’s attorneys are expected to deliver brief presentations, lasting approximately 10 to 15 minutes in front of the opposing party and the court, highlighting the key issues they believe should be considered when discussing settlement.

Afterward, attorneys may respond to one another and allow their clients to speak if they choose. Following the joint session, the judge will meet privately with each side.

During those meetings, both parties must be prepared to disclose the legal fees and expenses incurred so far, as well as projected costs required to take the case through trial and any potential appeals.