The bitter legal feud stemming from the film adaptation of It Ends With Us has intensified. Blake Lively’s legal team has now filed a motion for sanctions against the attorneys representing her co-star and director, Justin Baldoni, accusing them of “deposition misconduct” and asking inappropriate personal questions.
The Core Allegation: Deposition Misconduct
In a new court filing, Lively’s attorneys have called for Judge Lewis J. Liman to sanction Baldoni’s legal team. The motion accuses the defense lawyers of engaging in disruptive behavior during sworn testimony sessions. Specifically, Lively’s team claims Baldoni’s attorneys were “laughing, speechifying, and engaging in other disruptive behaviour.” They further allege that multiple defense counsel made improper “speaking objections” designed to coach witnesses and consumed deposition time with lengthy orations.
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The Disputed Line of Questioning
A central point of contention involves the questions posed to Blake Lively. Her legal team states that Baldoni’s attorneys inquired into the actress’s “romantic and sexual history.” In a letter to the court, Lively’s attorney Michael J. Gottlieb argued this line of questioning is irrelevant and unacceptable, writing, “Ms. Lively’s sexual and/or romantic history has no bearing on the matters at issue in this case, and we will not tolerate such examination.” They view these questions as a harassment tactic within the legal process itself.
What Sparked This Legal Battle?
The lawsuit originated on December 20, 2024, when Blake Lively filed a formal complaint with the California Department of Civil Rights against Justin Baldoni. She accused him of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment during the production of It Ends With Us. Lively’s team later claimed she faced “further retaliation and attacks” after these allegations became public in a New York Times report, leading to the current federal lawsuit.
Baldoni’s Response and the Case Status
In response to the initial allegations, Justin Baldoni filed a defamation lawsuit against both Blake Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds. That defamation case was subsequently dismissed. Most recently, on November 12, Baldoni filed a motion seeking the outright dismissal of Lively’s harassment claims. The high-stakes case is currently scheduled to proceed to trial in March 2026.
Immediate FAQs
Q: What are “sanctions” in this legal context?
A: Sanctions are penalties a judge can impose on a party or their lawyers for improper conduct during litigation. Lively’s team is asking the court to penalize Baldoni’s attorneys for their behavior during depositions.
Q: What is “deposition misconduct”?
A: It refers to improper behavior during a deposition, which is a formal, out-of-court witness testimony. The allegations include making disruptive comments, improper objections meant to influence answers, and asking irrelevant, harassing questions.
Q: What is the main lawsuit about?
A: Blake Lively alleges Justin Baldoni sexually harassed her and fostered a hostile work environment during the making of It Ends With Us. Baldoni denies the claims and is seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed.
Q: When is this case going to trial?
A: The case is currently on track for a trial in March 2026, though pretrial motions and filings continue.
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