Blake Lively Files NEW Sanctions Motion Against Baldoni’s Lawyers Dec 19: Sex History Questions Crossed Line
Blake Lively’s attorneys filed a new sanctions motion on December 19, 2025, accusing Justin Baldoni’s lawyers—Bryan Freedman and Kevin Fritz—of “deposition misconduct,” including laughing during testimony, asking inappropriate questions about Lively’s sexual history, and showing a “basic lack of decorum.” The motion, sent to Judge Lewis J. Liman, seeks financial penalties, attorney fees, and a second deposition for Baldoni’s expert witness Nicole Alexander after the first was allegedly “impeded and delayed.” This marks the latest escalation in their year-long legal battle, with a mandatory settlement conference scheduled for February 11, 2026, and trial set for May 18, 2026.
What Is the Justin Baldoni Lawsuit About?
On December 20, 2024, Blake Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department accusing Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment and fostering a hostile work environment during production of It Ends With Us, the 2024 romantic drama they co-starred in that Baldoni also directed.
Lively later filed a formal lawsuit on December 31, 2024, in federal court, alleging Baldoni and his Wayfarer Studios colleagues, publicist, and crisis PR team subjected her to sexual harassment and then launched a retaliatory online smear campaign after she reported the misconduct.
Core Allegations Against Baldoni
Sexual Harassment During Filming: Lively alleges Baldoni created a hostile work environment on the It Ends With Us set through inappropriate conduct and lack of professional boundaries.
Retaliatory Smear Campaign: After Lively complained about the conditions, she claims Baldoni and his PR team orchestrated a coordinated effort to damage her reputation through negative media coverage and online attacks.
Evidence Destruction: In October 2025 court filings, Lively’s team alleged Baldoni’s camp used encrypted Signal app and auto-deleting voice memos to destroy evidence about the alleged smear campaign, despite anticipating litigation by August 2024.
Baldoni has consistently denied all allegations.
Breaking: December 19, 2025 Sanctions Motion
What Lively’s Lawyers Alleged
In a letter dated December 19, 2025, and obtained by multiple media outlets, Lively’s attorney Michael J. Gottlieb accused Baldoni’s legal team of serious misconduct during depositions:
Inappropriate Sexual History Questions: Baldoni’s lawyers allegedly asked probative questions about Lively’s romantic and sexual history despite being warned in September 2025 that such inquiries were irrelevant and prohibited.
Disruptive Behavior During Depositions: “Throughout discovery, multiple defense counsel insisted on making speaking objections, often in depositions they were not defending, and consuming time on the record to demean and orate,” Gottlieb wrote.
Lack of Professional Decorum: Lively’s team complained about “insulting comments, audible cross-talk and laughter during examination” by Baldoni’s attorneys.
Obstruction of Expert Witness Deposition: The final straw came on Monday, December 16, 2025, when Freedman and co-counsel Kevin Fritz allegedly “impeded, delayed, and frustrated” the deposition of Nicole Alexander, a defense expert witness.
Rape Shield Law Invoked
Lively’s attorneys cited the “rape shield law” statute in September 2025, which bars evidence of a sexual assault victim’s sexual behavior or history unless its merit “substantially outweighs the risk of unfair prejudice or harm.”
“Ms. Lively’s sexual and/or romantic history has no bearing on the matters at issue in this case and we will not tolerate such examination,” her lawyers wrote to Baldoni’s team, including Bryan Freedman.
What Lively Is Seeking
Financial Sanctions: Monetary penalties against Freedman and Fritz for their alleged misconduct.
Attorney Fees: Half of Lively’s reasonable expenses and attorney fees incurred in connection with the compromised deposition and this motion.
Second Deposition: An order compelling Nicole Alexander to sit for another deposition, with Baldoni’s team paying the costs for the “necessitated” additional session.
Legal Penalties: The motion seeks to hold Baldoni’s attorneys accountable for what Lively’s team characterizes as an “ongoing pattern of deposition misconduct.”
Who Are the Parties Involved?
Blake Lively
The 38-year-old Gossip Girl actress who starred as Lily Bloom in It Ends With Us. She is married to actor Ryan Reynolds and has become a prominent advocate for workplace safety in Hollywood following this lawsuit.
Legal Representation:
- Michael J. Gottlieb
- Esra Hudson
- Two of the world’s largest litigation firms representing her
Justin Baldoni
The 41-year-old actor, director, and producer who directed It Ends With Us and played Ryle Kincaid. He was dropped by talent agency William Morris Endeavor (WME) after Lively’s allegations became public on December 21, 2024.
Legal Representation:
- Bryan Freedman (lead attorney, frequently in media)
- Kevin Fritz (co-counsel)
- Alexandra Shapiro (newer lead counsel who filed summary judgment motion in November 2025)
Other Named Defendants
Wayfarer Studios: Baldoni’s production company that produced It Ends With Us.
PR and Crisis Management Team:
- Jennifer Abel
- Melissa Nathan
- Jamey Heath
- Steve Sarowitz (Wayfarer financier)
Timeline of the Legal Battle
August 7, 2024: It Ends With Us premieres amid visible tension between Lively and Baldoni. They did not appear together in promotional events.
August 2024: Baldoni’s team allegedly anticipated litigation and began using encrypted Signal app.
December 20, 2024: Lively files complaint with California Civil Rights Department alleging sexual harassment and hostile work environment.
December 21, 2024: The New York Times publishes detailed article about Lively’s allegations. WME drops Baldoni as a client the same day.
December 24, 2024: Baldoni sues The New York Times for $250 million, claiming defamation.
December 31, 2024: Lively files formal federal lawsuit against Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and PR team.
January 2025: Baldoni files $400 million countersuit against Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist Leslie Sloane, alleging extortion and defamation.
January 22, 2025: Judge denies Lively’s request for a gag order against Baldoni.
February 9, 2025: Lively files 163-page amended complaint with “significant additional evidence.”
February 20, 2025: Leslie Sloane files motion to dismiss Baldoni’s lawsuit against her.
May 2025: Lively withdraws emotional distress claims to avoid surrendering medical/therapy records.
May 2025: Baldoni tries to subpoena Taylor Swift, claiming Lively used Swift to coerce him. Swift denies involvement; Baldoni withdraws subpoena after court condemned it as abuse of process.
June 9, 2025: Judge Lewis Liman dismisses Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit and his defamation claim against The New York Times. Baldoni given option to refile some claims by June 23.
September 2025: Lively’s team warns Baldoni’s lawyers to stop asking about her sexual history.
October 22, 2025: Lively files spoliation motion alleging Baldoni destroyed evidence using Signal app.
October 2, 2025: The New York Times sues Baldoni for at least $150,000 to recover legal costs from his dismissed lawsuit.
November 12, 2025: Baldoni files motion for summary judgment, arguing Lively’s allegations amount to “litany of minor grievances” and seeking case dismissal.
November 2025: Judge dismisses Lively’s lawsuit against Jed Wallace.
December 16, 2025: Alleged deposition misconduct during Nicole Alexander’s testimony.
December 18, 2025: Judge Cave orders mandatory settlement conference and postpones trial from March to May 2026.
December 19, 2025: Lively files new sanctions motion against Baldoni’s attorneys for deposition misconduct.
What Is the Current Status as of December 21, 2025?
Trial Scheduled for May 18, 2026
The trial was originally set for March 2026 but was postponed on December 18, 2025, to May 18, 2026. Judge Lewis Liman noted the case requires a “dedicated and uninterrupted window” given the seriousness of the allegations.
Mandatory Settlement Conference: February 11, 2026
U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave ordered both parties to attend a mandatory settlement conference on February 11, 2026, at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Settlement Conference Requirements:
- Both Lively and Baldoni must personally attend (not just their lawyers)
- Lively’s team must submit a formal settlement proposal by January 28, 2026
- Baldoni’s response is due by February 4, 2026
- Each side gets 10-15 minutes to present key issues
- Judge will meet privately with each side after joint session
Legal analyst Gregory Doll told People that “almost 100 percent of the time, the parties are required to personally attend the settlement conference.”
Upcoming Court Hearing: January 22, 2026
Judge Liman is scheduled to hear arguments on:
- Baldoni’s motion for summary judgment
- One of Lively’s sanctions motions
Discovery Still Ongoing
The case remains in active discovery, with multiple contentious deposition disputes and document production battles continuing through December 2025.
What Is Justin Baldoni’s Defense?
“Litany of Minor Grievances”
In Baldoni’s November 2025 motion for summary judgment, his legal team argues that Lively “cannot show the behavior she disliked was caused by her sex or gender, a basic prerequisite for her ‘sexual harassment’ claims.”
The motion characterizes her allegations as nothing more than a “litany of minor grievances” that don’t rise to the level of actionable sexual harassment.
No Smear Campaign
Baldoni’s team denies orchestrating any smear campaign against Lively. They claim the negative publicity she received was “organic” and resulted from her own conduct and public statements.
Baldoni’s Website: In February 2025, Baldoni launched TheLawsuitInfo.com, presenting his version of events and a timeline of the case.
Lively’s Celebrity Caused Media Frenzy
Baldoni attorney Kevin Fritz argued in August 2025 that Lively is “blissfully tone deaf to her own conduct” and that “her own celebrity and actions have generated the media frenzy she now complains of.”
Constitutional Free Speech Defense
When Lively sought sanctions against Bryan Freedman earlier in 2025, Fritz accused her of trying to “constitutionally repress” Baldoni’s lawyer and silence his First Amendment rights to defend his client publicly.
Evidence Disputes
Regarding the spoliation allegations about destroyed Signal messages, Baldoni’s team claims they had legitimate reasons for using encrypted communications and that Lively is attempting to create a narrative where none exists.
What Damages and Relief Are Being Sought?
Lively’s Claims
Compensatory Damages: Monetary compensation for sexual harassment, hostile work environment, and retaliation.
Punitive Damages: Additional damages to punish defendants and deter future misconduct.
Injunctive Relief: Court orders to stop ongoing retaliation and smear campaign activities.
Attorney Fees and Costs: Reimbursement for legal expenses, particularly from repeated sanctions motions.
Accountability: Lively’s lawyers state she seeks to hold Baldoni and his team “accountable for creating a hostile environment on set.”
New York Times Claims
The Times is seeking at least $150,000 in compensatory and punitive damages from Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios to recover costs from defending against his dismissed defamation lawsuit.
Who Else Is Affected by This Lawsuit?
It Ends With Us Cast Members
Colleen Hoover (author of the book): Posted on Instagram Stories December 21, 2024: “@blakelively, you have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met. Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt.”
Jenny Slate (who played Baldoni’s character’s sister): “As Blake Lively’s castmate and friend, I voice my support as she takes action against those reported to have planned and carried out an attack on her reputation. What has been revealed about the attack on Blake is terribly dark, disturbing, and wholly threatening.”
Isabela Ferrer (actress in It Ends With Us): Filed allegations that Baldoni engaged in misconduct, adding another layer to the case.
Ryan Reynolds
Lively’s husband was named in Baldoni’s countersuit, which alleged Reynolds used his influence to pressure WME to drop Baldoni. WME denied this allegation, stating Reynolds was not even at the Deadpool premiere where the alleged pressure occurred.
Publicists and PR Firms
Stephanie Jones and Jonesworks LLC: Baldoni’s former publicist sued him, Abel, and Nathan on December 24, 2024, claiming they orchestrated a smear campaign behind her back and then blamed her for it.
Leslie Sloane and Vision PR: Lively’s publicist was sued by Baldoni but filed a motion to dismiss, arguing her statements were either protected opinions or substantially true.
Hollywood Industry
The case has sparked broader conversations about workplace safety, power dynamics on film sets, and accountability for directors who create hostile environments.
What Does Baldoni’s Summary Judgment Motion Argue?
In his November 2025 motion (with many exhibits sealed from public view), Baldoni argues:
No Legal Basis: “Aided by two of the world’s largest litigation firms, Lively now seeks to create causes of action where none exist.”
Not Gender-Based: Baldoni claims Lively cannot prove the behavior she complained about was caused by her sex or gender, which is required for sexual harassment claims.
Normal Film Production Disagreements: The defense characterizes the conflicts as typical creative differences that occur on film sets, not actionable harassment.
279 Declaration and Deposition Excerpts: Baldoni’s team compiled extensive evidence they claim disproves Lively’s allegations.
Sealed Evidence: Most documents, depositions, and exhibits in the summary judgment motion are currently sealed from public view, including Baldoni’s October deposition and text messages between defendants.
What Should Victims of Similar Misconduct Do?
Document Everything Immediately
Contemporaneous Notes: Write down incidents as they happen, including dates, times, locations, witnesses, and exact words spoken.
Save Communications: Preserve all emails, texts, voicemails, and other communications related to the misconduct and your complaints about it.
Medical/Therapy Records: If you seek medical attention or therapy for emotional distress, these records can support your claims.
Witnesses: Identify colleagues or others who witnessed the misconduct or can corroborate your account.
Report Through Proper Channels
Internal Reporting: Follow your employer’s harassment reporting procedures, typically through HR or a designated compliance officer.
State Civil Rights Departments: File complaints with agencies like California’s Civil Rights Department (as Lively did).
EEOC: File charges with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for federal workplace discrimination claims.
Law Enforcement: Report criminal conduct (assault, stalking) to police.
Understand Your Legal Protections
Anti-Retaliation Laws: It’s illegal for employers to retaliate against you for reporting harassment. Document any adverse actions taken after you complain.
Rape Shield Laws: In sexual harassment litigation, your sexual history is generally irrelevant and protected from discovery.
Confidentiality: Consider whether you want to proceed anonymously or publicly, though courts may eventually require your identity be disclosed.
Consult Employment Attorneys
Free Consultations: Many employment lawyers offer free initial consultations to evaluate your case.
Contingency Fees: Some attorneys work on contingency, meaning they only get paid if you win.
Know the Deadlines: Harassment claims have strict filing deadlines (often 180-300 days for EEOC charges, 1-3 years for lawsuits).
Broader Implications for Entertainment Industry
Power Dynamics on Film Sets
The Lively-Baldoni case highlights the unique power imbalance when a director also stars opposite an actress in intimate scenes. Directors control:
- What takes are used
- Who remains employed
- The work environment
- Post-production decisions
- Career opportunities
Crisis PR Tactics Under Scrutiny
The alleged use of crisis PR firms to orchestrate smear campaigns against accusers has become a central issue. Text messages (now part of court evidence) allegedly show PR strategists planning negative media coverage.
Encrypted Communication Concerns
Lively’s spoliation allegations about Signal app usage have raised questions about whether entertainment industry figures use auto-deleting messages to hide misconduct evidence.
Settlement vs. Trial
Judge Liman’s order for a settlement conference suggests the court sees potential for resolution without a public trial. However, both sides appear entrenched in their positions as of December 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the latest development in the Blake Lively-Justin Baldoni lawsuit as of December 2025?
On December 19, 2025, Lively’s attorneys filed a new sanctions motion accusing Baldoni’s lawyers of deposition misconduct, including asking inappropriate questions about her sexual history, laughing during testimony, and obstructing witness depositions.
Q: When is the trial scheduled?
The trial is set for May 18, 2026, postponed from an original March 2026 date. A mandatory settlement conference is scheduled for February 11, 2026.
Q: What happened to Justin Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit?
Judge Lewis Liman dismissed Baldoni’s countersuit on June 9, 2025, finding that Lively’s sexual harassment accusations were legally protected. Baldoni was given the option to refile some claims but did not do so by the deadline.
Q: Did Blake Lively win the lawsuit?
No. The case is still ongoing. Baldoni’s countersuit was dismissed, but Lively’s original lawsuit against Baldoni for sexual harassment and retaliation remains active and is proceeding to trial in May 2026.
Q: What are the specific allegations of sexual harassment?
The exact details remain in sealed court documents, but Lively alleges Baldoni created a hostile work environment during It Ends With Us filming through inappropriate conduct and lack of professional boundaries, particularly problematic given the film’s subject matter of intimate partner abuse.
Q: Why did Blake Lively drop her emotional distress claims?
In May 2025, Lively withdrew claims for intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress after Baldoni’s lawyers moved to compel production of her private medical and therapy records. Rather than open her health history to the defense, she streamlined the lawsuit to focus on harassment.
Q: What is Justin Baldoni’s defense?
Baldoni denies all allegations, characterizing Lively’s claims as “minor grievances” that don’t constitute sexual harassment. He argues the negative publicity she received was caused by her own conduct, not an orchestrated smear campaign.
Q: Will Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have to attend the settlement conference?
Yes. Judge Cave’s December 18, 2025 order emphasized that “the presence of each party (the client), in addition to counsel, is essential to the settlement process.” Both must personally attend on February 11, 2026.
Q: What happens if they don’t settle?
If settlement negotiations fail, the case will proceed to trial beginning May 18, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York before Judge Lewis Liman.
Disclaimer: This article provides information about ongoing litigation. The allegations have not been proven in court. All parties are presumed innocent until legal proceedings conclude. This article does not constitute legal advice. For legal questions, consult an attorney.
Last Updated: December 21, 2025
Case Information:
- Case: Blake Lively v. Justin Baldoni, et al.
- Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
- Judge: Lewis J. Liman
- Trial Date: May 18, 2026
- Settlement Conference: February 11, 2026
- Status: Active, in discovery phase
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
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