Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni's lawyers meet in court for the 1st time

The "It Ends with Us" co-stars' case was discussed in a pre-trial hearing.

February 3, 2025, 5:12 PM

Attorneys for Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni met in court Monday, Feb. 3, for the first time for a 90-minute hearing.

The meeting largely revolved around scheduling going forward but offered insights into upcoming strategy, what's to come and concerns about the case being litigated in the media.

An attorney for Lively, Michael Gottlieb, said they would be moving to dismiss the complaint from Baldoni and that they would file an amended complaint of their own by the end of next week that would add both new claims and new defendants — though they did not say who or what.

PHOTO: Attorney Michael J. Gottlieb (R) stands in front of Justin Baldoni's attorney Bryan Freedman inside the District Court in Manhattan as they both argue during a trial conference in New York City, Feb. 3, 2025 in this courtroom sketch.
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' attorney Michael J. Gottlieb (R) stands in front of Justin Baldoni's attorney Bryan Freedman inside the US District Court in Manhattan as they both argue with Judge Lewis J. Liman during a trial conference in New York City, Feb. 3, 2025 in this courtroom sketch.
Jane Rosenberg/Reuters

Bryan Freedman, an attorney for Baldoni, said they plan to dismiss their case against The New York Times in California as the publication has been added to the New York case in an effort to speed things along, saying, "it kind of made no sense at all to be doing this on different coasts."

The New York Times told ABC News in a statement Monday, that referenced their initial one, that their story "was meticulously and responsibly reported" and that they "plan to vigorously defend against the lawsuit."

Despite the changes, Freedman indicated their desire to move the case along.

"We would like to move this case along as quickly as possible. There's no reason to wait," Freedman said, noting he wanted to take Lively's deposition as soon as possible.

Lively's attorney said the actress has "suffered an ongoing campaign of retaliation" and is "very eager to have her day in court."

Judge Lewis Liman, who is overseeing the case, said the idea of early depositions is "not going forward" until all parties are decided on in the case, adding, "I'm not going to have people deposed twice, unless there's a really good reason."

Sigrid McCawley, an attorney for Leslie Sloane -- Lively and husband Ryan Reynolds' publicist -- also said they would be filing a motion to dismiss regarding the claims against her client and her business, Vision PR, due to what she said were "significant deficits" in the filing." McCawley said Sloane and her company "have been dragged into this as a finger pointing mechanism and we'd like to get them out quite quickly."

The issue of the case being litigated in the press was a major topic of discussion by both lawyers.

Gottlieb said Freedman's public statements have been defamatory and "continue the campaign of retaliation" against Lively, adding, "You can't unring that bell." He added that they are not seeking "a gag order" against Freedman, only for the judge to adopt the rules of professional conduct for lawyers that govern what can be said outside of court.

Freedman signaled he also wanted those rules adopted, saying, "This has not been a one-way street."

Blake Lively's lead counsel, Michael Gottlieb, gathered with other counselors after a pre-trial hearing in a $400 million defamation suit by Baldoni against Hollywood power couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds in New York on Feb. 3, 2025.
Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images

Both the Judge and Lively's attorney, though, took issue with an attachment Freedman included on a recently launched website, the document titled "Timeline of Relevant Events."

"The law is pretty clear you can't just attach a factual narrative," Judge Liman told Baldoni's attorney of the lengthy attachment. The judge later stated that sanctions are possible, saying, "The court does have sanction power if it looks like the docket is being abused."

Last month, Judge Liman set a trial date for March 9, 2026, in the stars' ongoing legal battle. At one point in Monday's hearing, the judge also stated that he has the power to move up the trial date if the case is litigated in the press to the point that it becomes untenable. "I don't want to do that," Liman warned but noted that he could.

In a presser after the court session on Monday, Baldoni's lawyer, Freedman, said he was looking forward to "moving the case along as quickly as possible."

"We just couldn't be more pleased with how the case was handled today, how it was managed, and we're going to move as quickly as we possibly can and prove our innocence in a world where sometimes people judge you before they give you a chance. And we're going to change that," Freedman shared.

Justin Baldoni's attorney Bryan Freedman speaks to the media outside United States District Court in Manhattan after a trial conference in New York City, Feb. 3, 2025.
David Dee Delgado/Reuters

This hearing was preceded by Lively and Reynolds' legal team filing several letters to Judge Liman addressing what Lively's lawyers call "extrajudicial misconduct" by Baldoni's attorney, Freedman. The judge on Jan. 30 ordered Lively and Baldoni's lawsuits against each other to be consolidated into one case.

In the filings obtained by ABC News, Lively's legal team claims Freedman is influencing "public perception" of the cases and "tainting the jury pool" as well as attempting to "prejudice a jury pool beyond repair" by sharing "false and defamatory statements and character attacks against Ms. Lively" with the media.

In response, Freedman said in part in a statement to ABC News: "Our intention with the upcoming website is to do the exact opposite of what they themselves did when they gave provably false information to the New York Times. We will not be selective, we will not cherry pick and we will not doctor text messages. Both Ms. Lively and Mr. Reynolds do not yet understand that there isn't one rule for them and one rule for everybody else. If they want to unethically gag the truth by threatening to wield their power in Hollywood, we will fight it every step of the way."

Editor’s Picks

Baldoni's attorneys launched the website in question in the days before Monday's hearing. The website contains an amended version of Baldoni's complaint and a document titled "Timeline of Relevant Events," both published on Jan. 31.

Regarding the amended complaint posted to the website, the Times said: "The Baldoni/Wayfarer legal filings are rife with inaccuracies about The New York Times, including, for example, the bogus claim that The Times had early access to Ms. Lively's state civil rights complaint. Mr. Baldoni's lawyers base their erroneous claim on postings by amateur internet sleuths, who, not surprisingly, are wrong. The sleuths have noted that a version of the Lively state complaint published by The Times carries the date 'December 10' even though the complaint wasn't filed until more than a week later. The problem: that date is generated by Google software and is unrelated to the date when The Times received it and posted it."

Lively accused Baldoni of alleged sexual harassment and accused him and his publicity team of trying to destroy her reputation in a complaint she filed in December with the California Civil Rights Department, which included numerous text messages and communications she claimed were part of a campaign to attack her public image. The New York Times was the first to report Lively's legal complaint. Later that month, Lively then filed a lawsuit in New York against Baldoni and other defendants, formalizing her allegations from her complaint. Baldoni denied the allegations.

This combination of images shows Blake Lively at the London screening of the film "It 'Ends With Us" on Aug. 8, 2024, left, and Justin Baldoni in separate photos at the world premiere of the film in New York on Aug. 6, 2024.
AP, FILE

The same day of Lively's lawsuit, Baldoni filed a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times for libel and false light invasion of privacy after it published the story "We Can Bury Anyone," which included reporting on Lively's complaint.

Earlier this month, Baldoni filed a $400 million lawsuit in New York against Lively and other defendants -- including Reynolds -- for extortion and defamation.

Baldoni accused Lively of trying to take control over the film "It Ends with Us" from him and the studio and attempting to destroy his "personal and professional reputations and livelihood." Lively denied the allegations.

Lively and Reynold's attorney stated they intend to file a motion to "dismiss" Baldoni's lawsuit against them in a court document submitted Jan. 30.

Popular Reads

ABC News Live

ABC News Live

24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events

universo-virtual.com
buytrendz.net
thisforall.net
benchpressgains.com
qthzb.com
mindhunter9.com
dwjqp1.com
secure-signup.net
ahaayy.com
soxtry.com
tressesindia.com
puresybian.com
krpano-chs.com
cre8workshop.com
hdkino.org
peixun021.com
qz786.com
utahperformingartscenter.org
maw-pr.com
zaaksen.com
ypxsptbfd7.com
worldqrmconference.com
shangyuwh.com
eejssdfsdfdfjsd.com
playminecraftfreeonline.com
trekvietnamtour.com
your-business-articles.com
essaywritingservice10.com
hindusamaaj.com
joggingvideo.com
wandercoups.com
onlinenewsofindia.com
worldgraphic-team.com
bnsrz.com
wormblaster.net
tongchengchuyange0004.com
internetknowing.com
breachurch.com
peachesnginburlesque.com
dataarchitectoo.com
clientfunnelformula.com
30pps.com
cherylroll.com
ks2252.com
webmanicura.com
osostore.com
softsmob.com
sofietsshotel.com
facetorch.com
nylawyerreview.com
apapromotions.com
shareparelli.com
goeaglepointe.com
thegreenmanpubphuket.com
karotorossian.com
publicsensor.com
taiwandefence.com
epcsur.com
odskc.com
inzziln.info
leaiiln.info
cq-oa.com
dqtianshun.com
southstills.com
tvtv98.com
thewellington-hotel.com
bccaipiao.com
colectoresindustrialesgs.com
shenanddcg.com
capriartfilmfestival.com
replicabreitlingsale.com
thaiamarinnewtoncorner.com
gkmcww.com
mbnkbj.com
andrewbrennandesign.com
cod54.com
luobinzhang.com
bartoysdirect.com
taquerialoscompadresdc.com
aaoodln.info
amcckln.info
drvrnln.info
dwabmln.info
fcsjoln.info
hlonxln.info
kcmeiln.info
kplrrln.info
fatcatoons.com
91guoys.com
signupforfreehosting.com
faithfirst.net
zjyc28.com
tongchengjinyeyouyue0004.com
nhuan6.com
oldgardensflowers.com
lightupthefloor.com
bahamamamas-stjohns.com
ly2818.com
905onthebay.com
fonemenu.com
notanothermovie.com
ukrainehighclassescort.com
meincmagazine.com
av-5858.com
yallerdawg.com
donkeythemovie.com
corporatehospitalitygroup.com
boboyy88.com
miteinander-lernen.com
dannayconsulting.com
officialtomsshoesoutletstore.com
forsale-amoxil-amoxicillin.net
generictadalafil-canada.net
guitarlessonseastlondon.com
lesliesrestaurants.com
mattyno9.com
nri-homeloans.com
rtgvisas-qatar.com
salbutamolventolinonline.net
sportsinjuries.info
topsedu.xyz
xmxm7.com
x332.xyz
sportstrainingblog.com
autopartspares.com
readguy.net
soniasegreto.com
bobbygdavis.com
wedsna.com
rgkntk.com
bkkmarketplace.com
zxqcwx.com
breakupprogram.com
boxcardc.com
unblockyoutubeindonesia.com
fabulousbookmark.com
beat-the.com
guatemala-sailfishing-vacations-charters.com
magie-marketing.com
kingstonliteracy.com
guitaraffinity.com
eurelookinggoodapparel.com
howtolosecheekfat.net
marioncma.org
oliviadavismusic.com
shantelcampbellrealestate.com
shopleborn13.com
topindiafree.com
v-visitors.net
qazwsxedcokmijn.com
parabis.net
terriesandelin.com
luxuryhomme.com
studyexpanse.com
ronoom.com
djjky.com
053hh.com
originbluei.com
baucishotel.com
33kkn.com
intrinsiqresearch.com
mariaescort-kiev.com
mymaguk.com
sponsored4u.com
crimsonclass.com
bataillenavale.com
searchtile.com
ze-stribrnych-struh.com
zenithalhype.com
modalpkv.com
bouisset-lafforgue.com
useupload.com
37r.net
autoankauf-muenster.com
bantinbongda.net
bilgius.com
brabustermagazine.com
indigrow.org
miicrosofts.net
mysmiletravel.com
selinasims.com
spellcubesapp.com
usa-faction.com
snn01.com
hope-kelley.com
bancodeprofissionais.com
zjccp99.com
liturgycreator.com
weedsmj.com
majorelenco.com
colcollect.com
androidnews-jp.com
hypoallergenicdogsnames.com
dailyupdatez.com
foodphotographyreviews.com
cricutcom-setup.com
chprowebdesign.com
katyrealty-kanepa.com
tasramar.com
bilgipinari.org
four-am.com
indiarepublicday.com
inquick-enbooks.com
iracmpi.com
kakaschoenen.com
lsm99flash.com
nana1255.com
ngen-niagara.com
technwzs.com
virtualonlinecasino1345.com
wallpapertop.net
nova-click.com
abeautifulcrazylife.com
diggmobile.com
denochemexicana.com
eventhalfkg.com
medcon-taiwan.com
life-himawari.com
myriamshomes.com
nightmarevue.com
allstarsru.com
bestofthebuckeyestate.com
bestofthefirststate.com
bestwireless7.com
declarationintermittent.com
findhereall.com
jingyou888.com
lsm99deal.com
lsm99galaxy.com
moozatech.com
nuagh.com
patliyo.com
philomenamagikz.net
rckouba.net
saturnunipessoallda.com
tallahasseefrolics.com
thematurehardcore.net
totalenvironment-inthatquietearth.com
velislavakaymakanova.com
vermontenergetic.com
sizam-design.com
kakakpintar.com
begorgeouslady.com
1800birks4u.com
2wheelstogo.com
6strip4you.com
bigdata-world.net
emailandco.net
gacapal.com
jharpost.com
krishnaastro.com
lsm99credit.com
mascalzonicampani.com
sitemapxml.org
thecityslums.net
topagh.com
flairnetwebdesign.com
bangkaeair.com
beneventocoupon.com
noternet.org
oqtive.com
smilebrightrx.com
decollage-etiquette.com
1millionbestdownloads.com
7658.info
bidbass.com
devlopworldtech.com
digitalmarketingrajkot.com
fluginfo.net
naqlafshk.com
passion-decouverte.com
playsirius.com
spacceleratorintl.com
stikyballs.com
top10way.com
yokidsyogurt.com
zszyhl.com
16firthcrescent.com
abogadolaboralistamd.com
apk2wap.com
aromacremeria.com
banparacard.com
bosmanraws.com
businessproviderblog.com
caltonosa.com
calvaryrevivalchurch.org
chastenedsoulwithabrokenheart.com
cheminotsgardcevennes.com
cooksspot.com
cqxzpt.com
deesywig.com
deltacartoonmaps.com
despixelsetdeshommes.com
duocoracaobrasileiro.com
fareshopbd.com
goodpainspills.com
kobisitecdn.com
makaigoods.com
mgs1454.com
piccadillyresidences.com
radiolaondafresca.com
rubendorf.com
searchengineimprov.com
sellmyhrvahome.com
shugahouseessentials.com
sonihullquad.com
subtractkilos.com
valeriekelmansky.com
vipasdigitalmarketing.com
voolivrerj.com
zeelonggroup.com
1015southrockhill.com
10x10b.com
111-online-casinos.com
191cb.com
3665arpentunitd.com
aitesonics.com
bag-shokunin.com
brightotech.com
communication-digitale-services.com
covoakland.org
dariaprimapack.com
freefortniteaccountss.com
gatebizglobal.com
global1entertainmentnews.com
greatytene.com
hiroshiwakita.com
iktodaypk.com
jahatsakong.com
meadowbrookgolfgroup.com
newsbharati.net
platinumstudiosdesign.com
slotxogamesplay.com
strikestaruk.com
trucosdefortnite.com
ufabetrune.com
weddedtowhitmore.com
12940brycecanyonunitb.com
1311dietrichoaks.com
2monarchtraceunit303.com
601legendhill.com
850elaine.com
adieusolasomade.com
andora-ke.com
bestslotxogames.com
cannagomcallen.com
endlesslyhot.com
iestpjva.com
ouqprint.com
pwmaplefest.com
qtylmr.com
rb88betting.com
buscadogues.com
1007macfm.com
born-wild.com
growthinvests.com
promocode-casino.com
proyectogalgoargentina.com
wbthompson-art.com
whitemountainwheels.com
7thavehvl.com
developmethis.com
funkydogbowties.com
travelodgegrandjunction.com
gao-town.com
globalmarketsuite.com
blogshippo.com
hdbka.com
proboards67.com
outletonline-michaelkors.com
kalkis-research.com
thuthuatit.net
buckcash.com
hollistercanada.com
docterror.com
asadart.com
vmayke.org
erwincomputers.com
dirimart.org
okkii.com
loteriasdecehegin.com
mountanalog.com
healingtaobritain.com
ttxmonitor.com
bamthemes.com
nwordpress.com
11bolabonanza.com
avgo.top