Blake Lively VS Justin Baldoni: Judge Calls It Ends With Us Legal Battle A Dispute Between PR Firms; Says, “Much Of This Information Will…”

The dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has taken an intriguing turn, as a federal judge recently described it as a feud between PR firms. Judge Lewis J. Liman made this observation during a virtual hearing on Thursday morning, which did not feature Lively, Baldoni, or Ryan Reynolds in attendance. Instead, the focus was on the arguments presented by their legal teams regarding the need for confidentiality in the case, which centers on the production of It Ends With Us and an alleged online smear campaign that followed.

Blake Lively-Justin Baldoni Case Is Called a PR Feud By Judge

Lively and Reynolds’ legal team pushed for an Attorney’s Eyes Only (AEO) order, expressing concerns over potential media leaks. Meryl Conant Governski, representing Lively and Reynolds, remarked, “The parties in this case, on both sides, include people whose entire living is made off providing information to the press and content creators. There are 100 million reasons for these parties to leak information because the PR value is greater than complying with the court’s orders.”

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In contrast, Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, rejected this assertion, stressing that there is no intent to harm Lively. As reported by Deadline, “No one has any intent of harming Ms Lively in any way. My clients have a right to defend themselves, that is in no way abusing the victim.”

Justin’s Attorney Accuses Blake-Ryan For Using Their Status

Freedman accused Lively and Reynolds of using their status unfairly. “What the other side is asking for because there is celebrity, because there are powerful people in the industry … somehow there is a different law that applies to them,” he said. He dismissed the idea that PR strategies were trade secrets.

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Referencing several articles in media outlets, Freedman said representation details were already public. “It is in no way a trade secret,” he argued. He also dismissed comparisons to his previous case with Quentin Tarantino and Miramax. That case involved actual trade secrets, including the Pulp Fiction screenplay. “A very different matter,” he added.

With tensions high, Judge Liman offered a reminder. “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,” he said, reports Deadline.

The judge will take the matter under submission and provide his decision soon. Both parties recently amended their complaints. They have rejected settlement talks as premature. The trial remains set for March 29, 2026.

Also Read: Blake Lively claims her children are ‘extremely traumatized’ by the Justin Baldoni legal drama; reveals she’s struggling to leave home

Akankshya Mukherjee

Akankshya Mukherjee is a dynamic and ambitious individual poised to make waves in the realm of Media and Communication. With a passion for creativity and a drive to contribute to forward-thinking organizations, Akankshya embodies adaptability and a hunger for learning. Having already garnered experience through involvement in various organizations, she has honed the skill of quickly adapting to new environments and challenges. She sees each opportunity as a chance for personal and professional growth, eagerly embracing roles in communications and content writing.