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Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's ongoing legal war reached new heights during a tense hearing on Thursday, as both parties clashed over the of a $400 million defamation lawsuit.
The Zoom hearing, held in Manhattan federal court, saw heated exchanges between their attorneys as they debated the protective measures for sensitive personal information.
Lively's legal team expressed serious concerns over the potential public release of private information, arguing that Baldoni's attorneys might disclose confidential details about her security measures, medical history, and even intimate conversations with family and friends, including husband Ryan Reynolds.
Furthermore, they highlighted the risk of exposing sensitive information about Lively's children and alleged mental health struggles.
To prevent such disclosures, Lively's lawyer, Meryl Governskii, proposed an "Attorney's Eyes Only" provision, which would restrict access to specific materials to only the legal teams involved.
She emphasized that it was crucial to protect "trade secrets" like PR agencies' client lists and business plans. Additionally, Governskii cited the subpoena of a security firm working with the couple, expressing concerns that their security arrangements could be exposed to the public.
Baldoni's lawyers push back on extra measures
Baldoni's attorneys, however, strongly opposed the request, dismissing the idea of leaking sensitive information as "offensive." Bryan Freedman, representing Baldoni, argued that the standard protective order in place was sufficient to maintain confidentiality.
He accused Lively's team of seeking special treatment due to her celebrity status, saying, "It feels like what the other side are asking for is because there is celebrity, because there are powerful people in the industry."
Freedman further rejected the idea that information about Lively's security or medical records would be leaked, stating that these details were "not remotely relevant" to the case.
This legal showdown is part of a much larger defamation lawsuit between Lively and Baldoni. It began after Lively filed a suit accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation during the production of It Ends With Us, the film that Baldoni directed and starred in. In response, Baldoni filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively, as well as her husband, Ryan Reynolds.
Baldoni also sued The New York Times for defamation, claiming the publication's December article misrepresented Lively's allegations. The case has grown increasingly complex, with Lively's legal team accusing Baldoni of a smear campaign designed to ruin her reputation.
The lawsuit has had widespread ramifications, with Lively's close friend, Taylor Swift, potentially facing a subpoena. Meanwhile, leaked footage from It Ends With Us has added fuel to the fire, with Lively's team accusing Baldoni of orchestrating the leaks to damage her image.
The case has even made waves in Hollywood, with Ryan Reynolds mentioning it during the Oscars, causing an uncomfortable moment for Lively.
As the legal battle continues to unfold, the fallout from this high-profile case seems far from over, and both parties are gearing up for what could be a lengthy and costly process. With tensions rising and personal details at stake, this feud is quickly becoming one of the most bitter and public legal battles in recent memory.