Feuds between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively reached a new high this week after the A Simple Favor actress’s lawyers accused the legal team representing Baldoni of attempting to “force” into the public sphere a sealed deposition. The case is the result of ongoing legal disputes regarding issues related to the movie It Ends With Us, but the Monday-day court filing brought attention squarely on to what Lively’s side is describing as an intentional effort to weaponize the press.
Dispute Over Leaked Deposition Transcript
In the August 4 motion, Lively’s attorneys asked a federal judge to strike a 292-page draft transcript of her recent deposition, which Baldoni’s lawyers uploaded to the docket, even though only two pages were cited. “There is no conceivable legal purpose to file the whole transcript,” the filing states, adding that the version uploaded had not even been finalized or corrected.
Her team says the move was a calculated PR stunt designed to paint Lively as evasive and manipulate public perception. The filing accuses Baldoni’s camp of acting more like “PR agents” than legal counsel, adding they had given “a manufactured excuse to force the transcript into the public domain.”
Alleged Media Manipulation
As per People, the motion alleges Baldoni’s attorneys are baiting Lively into fighting to keep the transcript sealed, so they can spin a narrative that she’s hiding something. Her lawyers argued the claim was “entirely untrue and deeply harmful.” They say she has always been prepared to testify in court just not trial by tabloid.
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“Ms. Lively affirmatively pursued this litigation with the full intention and desire to have her testimony heard in a legal process, governed by the rules of evidence. To suggest otherwise is part of an ongoing character attack,” they wrote.
Baldoni’s Surprise Appearance at Deposition
The July 31 deposition took place in Manhattan at the office of Lively’s lawyer. Baldoni showed up in person, even though an earlier protective order had granted her team discretion over where it would take place and who would be notified of attendance. Her attorneys claim news reports about the get-together down to her wardrobe appeared almost immediately, which they claim was no accident.
Sexual Harassment Claims and Dismissed Countersuit
Lively, 37, also sued Baldoni, 41, for sexual harassment and retaliation. He has vigorously denied those accusations. Balconi, in return, put in a $400 million countersuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, for defamation and extortion. That lawsuit was dismissed in June, and his attorneys decided not to refile, People reports.
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Even with that, the fight is far from over. There is a trial on March 2026, and both are to appear under oath.
