Blake Lively Gets Protective Order Before Deposition In Legal Clash With Justin Baldoni

Blake Lively is doing everything in her power to shield herself as she battles director Justin Baldoni in court. In a significant win, the actress has been granted a protective order by a judge only days before she was supposed to sit for a deposition.

On July 14, U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman granted Lively's motion, ordering Baldoni and his reps at Wayfarer Studios to give her notice on who will be in attendance during her deposition. It arrives three days after Lively filed a formal request for the order, while claiming that the legal team of Baldoni had not previously cooperated. The order of protection, under which Lively gets to dictate the setting for his deposition and pick a location and make sure opposing counsel has to use a dedicated computer with print and copy features. The terms are intended to create a neutral and safe space for the deposition, scheduled to begin on July 17.

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The move came in response to complaints from Lively's attorneys, who on July 11 had filed papers alleging that Baldoni's lawyers had previously "refused Ms. Lively's reasonable requests" for discussions over how to arrange depositions. Her team stressed the importance of transparency and due process, especially in such a sensitive case. Lively initially filed a suit against both Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios in December for sexual harassment. The case has since snowballed in both the public's and media's consciousness, highlighting growing public scrutiny of power dynamics within Hollywood's creative circles.

While Baldoni has yet to respond to the latest development, his attorney reportedly must provide the names of anyone scheduled to attend depositions two days prior. This requirement is a victory for Lively, as it adds a level of protection and double clarity as she prepares to testify under oath. The deposition is fast approaching, leaving everyone to wonder how the case will play out. But one thing is sure: Blake Lively is standing up for herself, and she is taking no chances that legal proceedings take place in a way that is anything short of fair, transparent, or safe as she needs them to be.