Blake Lively is set to be deposed this Thursday at a location of her choosing in Manhattan, following a ruling by federal Judge Lewis Liman. This decision comes after Justin Baldoni accused the actress of leveraging her celebrity status in their ongoing legal battle.
The judge's ruling allows Lively, 37, to select the venue for her deposition, which has been a point of contention between the two parties. Baldoni's legal team had proposed their offices at 125 Park Avenue, while Lively's attorneys argued for their own office, located just a mile away.
In addition to the venue decision, Judge Liman mandated that Baldoni, 41, must inform Lively of all attendees he plans to bring to the deposition by noon on Tuesday. Furthermore, arrangements must be made for Baldoni's lawyers to have access to a private space, computer, and printer during the questioning.
The legal dispute escalated when Lively filed a $250 million lawsuit against Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment during the filming of "It Ends With Us," a project he directed and starred in. The tension between the two has been palpable, with Baldoni's team recently requesting the court to intervene against what they described as Lively's attempts to dictate deposition logistics.
“Lively’s stomping and use of her celebrity status may have enabled her to seize control of the film,” Baldoni's lawyers stated in their filing, criticizing her legal team's approach. They argued that such behavior has no place in court.
In response to the allegations, Lively has accused Baldoni and his publicist of orchestrating a smear campaign against her post-filming. She is also pursuing legal action against the film's production company.
Baldoni, known for his role in "Jane the Virgin," countersued Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds for $400 million, claiming extortion and defamation. However, this countersuit was dismissed by Judge Liman last month.
The latest developments regarding the deposition location arose from concerns that Baldoni's team intended to create a media spectacle. Lively's lawyers expressed fears that the deposition could turn into a publicity stunt, citing potential harassment from paparazzi and uninvited guests.
“Defendants have not denied that their intent is to manufacture a harassing publicity stunt,” Lively’s legal team argued in court documents filed on July 11. They emphasized that a specific location would ensure her safety during the proceedings.
In a previous statement to media outlets, Baldoni suggested that Lively’s deposition could take place at Madison Square Garden, even joking about selling tickets or streaming the event. This comment was highlighted by Lively’s team as evidence of their opponents' intentions to turn the deposition into a media circus.
The unfolding legal drama continues to capture public attention as both parties prepare for what promises to be a contentious deposition this week.
