Blake Lively’s legal battle with her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios just took a dramatic turn, and things aren’t looking great for the actress or her husband, Ryan Reynolds. After Lively’s legal team previously requested documents to be kept “attorney eyes only”, the judge made it clear during a recent public hearing that there won’t be extra secrecy just because celebrities are involved.
As both parties’ legal teams argued over the “attorney eyes only”, Lively’s team cited privacy concerns, while Baldoni’s side pushed back hard. The hearing got tense, with Blake Lively’s lawyer struggling to make a strong case while Justin Baldoni’s attorney came in sharp and confident. It seems that if this scenario continues, the actress may have to accept that personal details could go public.
What happened during the Blake Lively vs Wayfarer Public Hearing?
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s legal battle has been a rollercoaster ride for everyone who has been following the case. From initially requesting Baldoni’s phone records, to later seeking privacy for sensitive documents on her end, Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds have been dropping hypocritical bombs throughout the case.
But now, it seems Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds’ days are over. During the recent public hearing for Lively vs. Wayfarer, as the actress’ legal team argued that certain case documents should be kept under wraps with an “attorneys’ eyes only” order, the judge seemingly helped them touch some grass (via Deadline).
As Blake Lively’s team cited privacy concerns, safety risks, and the potential harm of media speculation, federal Judge Lewis J. Liman set the tone and parameters for the case. Setting the record straight about how celebrity status doesn’t come with a courtroom VIP pass, the judge dismissed it as “a feud between PR firms” during the Zoom call.
During the hearing, Blake Lively’s lawyers argued that case documents should remain confidential to protect trade secrets and personal safety. They even blamed content creators (yes, people like us who report on celebrity drama) for adding fuel to the fire. On the other hand, Justin Baldoni‘s legal team wasn’t buying it.
The actor’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, came in sharp, prepared, and ready to fight. He pushed back on the secrecy request, calling out the irony after Lively’s team had already aired some of this dirty laundry in public and had requested Baldoni’s phone records. Freedman further noted that Lively’s legal team should argue for “attorney eyes only” on individual documents instead of presumption.
Judge Lewis J. Liman’s remarks became a bane for Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds
Well, after Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s legal team presented their case, Judge Lewis J. Liman seemed to agree with Bryan Freedman more than the actress’ team. Showing little patience for arguments about trade secrets and privacy when both parties had willingly brought their fight into the public sphere, the judge noted how both sides had used the court for PR.
Although Judge Liman did not drop his final verdict on the case, saying he is taking the matter under submission and will “give you my views soon”, it seems Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are awaiting a major headache. While the couple might have hoped for a quick legal win, it now seems that they might have to lower their expectations.
Judge Lewis J. Liman seemingly made it clear, even without announcing the verdict—if this case proceeds, Lively will have to deal with the very thing she wanted to avoid—public scrutiny. He reminded both sides about the reality of the justice system in the digital age. Liman seemingly implied that once you drag a legal battle into court, it becomes a matter of public interest.
Much of this information will become public as the case goes forward — for example in motions for summary judgment, and of course at trial. There is a public interest in how the courts are being used that the court has to respect.
While the judge is yet to announce his verdict, it seems that Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds will have to fight for confidentiality on a document-by-document basis, which is going to be a long, uphill battle. Meanwhile, Justin Baldoni’s team seemed pretty pleased with how things played out so far.
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