In a sharp escalation of their ongoing legal battle, Blake Lively’s attorneys have formally accused Justin Baldoni’s legal team of engaging in “disruptive” and inappropriate conduct during depositions, including probing questions about Lively’s sex life. The accusations, detailed in a December 19 filing, have prompted calls for sanctions and could impact the high-profile sexual harassment case.
The core of the complaint centers on deposition behavior that Lively’s lawyers describe as unprofessional and obstructive. They allege that Baldoni’s attorneys, Bryan Freedman and Kevin Fritz, made insulting comments, engaged in audible cross-talk, and laughed during examinations, which they say impeded the fair process. This conduct, according to the filing, shows a “lack of basic decorum” and has been a pattern throughout the discovery phase.
Specifically, the motion highlights that Baldoni’s team asked “probative” questions regarding Lively’s sexual and romantic history. Lively’s attorneys argue that such inquiries are irrelevant to the sexual harassment allegations at hand and violate legal standards. They cited the rape shield law, which restricts evidence about a victim’s sexual behavior unless it significantly outweighs prejudice, to underscore why these questions are improper.
This latest filing is part of a broader lawsuit that Lively filed against Baldoni in December 2024. She accuses the “It Ends With Us” director of sexual harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, and other charges, while Baldoni had initially responded with a $400 million countersuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, though that countersuit has since been dismissed. The case has drawn significant media attention due to the celebrities involved.
In response to the alleged misconduct, Lively’s legal team is requesting that the judge impose sanctions on Freedman and Fritz. Additionally, they are seeking to compel another deposition of their expert witness, Nicole Alexander, and have Baldoni cover the associated costs. They also want Lively to be awarded half of the reasonable expenses and attorney fees incurred due to the deposition issues.
The legal proceedings have a scheduled trial date of May 18, 2026, but both parties are required to attend a court-mandated settlement conference on February 11. This conference could potentially resolve the case before it goes to trial, depending on the outcomes of the current motions and the overall dynamics between the two sides.
As the case continues, the accusations of disruptive deposition behavior add another layer of complexity. If sanctions are imposed, it could affect the strategies and reputations of the legal teams involved. The focus on protecting Lively’s privacy through legal arguments like the rape shield law also highlights the sensitive nature of sexual harassment cases in the public eye.
Moving forward, the court’s decisions on these motions will be closely watched, as they could set precedents for conduct in high-stakes celebrity litigation. The outcome may influence how similar cases are handled, emphasizing the importance of professionalism and relevance in legal examinations. This summary is based on reports from Page Six and Yahoo Entertainment, published on December 20, 2025.
