Blake Lively’s Legal Team Requests Court Hearing Over Statements by Justin Baldoni’s Attorney

Lively’s Lawyers Accuse Baldoni’s Attorney of Manipulation and Demand a Hearing

Blake Lively’s lawyers have accused Justin Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, of making “misleading and selective” statements about their client and the ongoing legal dispute. They have filed a request for a court hearing to determine the appropriate conduct of attorneys in this case.

Lively’s legal team submitted a letter to the Southern District of New York on Tuesday—the same day Freedman released video footage from the set of It Ends With Us, the film at the center of the legal battle. According to Freedman, the footage “refutes” Lively’s claims about Baldoni’s behavior. He also announced plans to launch a website featuring additional correspondence and video clips meant to discredit Lively’s allegations.

In the letter, obtained by CNN, Lively’s lawyers state that since she filed her complaint with the California Civil Rights Department on December 21, they have sent two cease-and-desist letters. The first letter was directed at The Wayfarer Parties, including members of Baldoni’s production company Wayfarer Studios and his PR team.

The second letter was sent directly to Freedman, demanding that he stop making “defamatory and retaliatory” statements about Lively. They argue that his public remarks are not protected by attorney-client privilege and reminded him that “lawyers are not publicists” and must adhere to different professional standards than crisis managers.

“Despite receiving these cease-and-desist letters, the Wayfarer Parties and Mr. Freedman have continued their harassing and retaliatory media campaign, with almost daily statements or press releases,” the letter states.

Lively’s attorneys argue that Freedman’s actions could “materially prejudice” both Lively’s sexual harassment case and Baldoni’s defamation lawsuit by influencing potential jurors. They are requesting a hearing to establish proper conduct in these interconnected legal matters.

Additionally, Lively’s legal team intends to seek a “protective order” to regulate further legal proceedings. However, they emphasize that an urgent hearing is necessary due to the “imminent harm” caused by Freedman’s “misleading and selective statements and leaks.”