A judge has cautioned the attorneys for Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni to refrain from publicly discussing their ongoing lawsuits against each other. The actors, who starred together in the 2024 film *It Ends With Us*, have initiated legal actions following Lively’s initial complaint. The 37-year-old actress has accused Baldoni of sexual harassment on set and of allegedly plotting to tarnish her reputation. In response, Baldoni filed a lawsuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, claiming they hijacked the film’s production and marketing while attempting to defame him and others involved with false allegations.
New York district court judge Lewis J. Liman has set a trial date for March 2026 to address both claims but warned both parties that their media comments could influence the outcome of their cases. During a hearing at Manhattan federal court, Lively’s attorney, Michael Gottlieb, argued that Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, breached professional ethics by labeling Lively as a “bully” in *People* magazine. He expressed concern that such statements could prejudice potential jurors.
Freedman countered that his remarks were a reaction to a damaging New York Times article published on December 21, which he claimed severely impacted Baldoni. Judge Liman has implemented a state rule that restricts most out-of-court statements that could affect a case’s outcome, with an exception to protect clients from harmful publicity. Neither attorney objected to this ruling.
Lively’s legal team has previously accused Freedman of attempting to sway potential jurors by creating a website to disseminate selective documents and communications between Lively and Baldoni. In late December, Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, his production company Wayfarer Studios, and others in New York, alleging sexual harassment and reputational harm, seeking unspecified damages. Baldoni subsequently filed his lawsuit in January, accusing Lively and Reynolds of defamation and extortion, seeking at least $400 million in damages. He also sued *The New York Times* for libel following the publication of allegations against him.
Lively gained fame from the 2005 film *The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants* and the TV series *Gossip Girl* (2007-2012), and is known for her roles in *The Town* and *The Shallows*. Baldoni is recognized for his role in the TV comedy series *Jane The Virgin* and for directing the 2019 film *Five Feet Apart*.