A federal judge has partially rejected Blake Lively’s subpoena for phone records from It Ends With Us director and co-star Justin Baldoni,
calling the request “overly intrusive and disproportionate to the needs of the case.”
The ruling, issued on February 28, marks the latest development in the high-profile legal dispute between Lively and Baldoni,
which has seen both sides exchange serious allegations.
Judge Limits Access to Baldoni’s Communications
Lively had initially sought access to Baldoni’s phone records, including communications from his production company, Wayfarer Studios, dating back to 2022.
However, U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman ruled that Lively’s request was too broad, noting that she had not provided a way to separate potentially relevant data from private, unrelated information.
“Lively has identified no means to segregate those numbers that may have some relevance to her case from those numbers that would have no relevance and would reveal sensitive personal information,” the ruling stated. The judge also pointed out that Lively’s initial complaint alleged the smear campaign against her began in August 2024, making it unclear why records from 2022 would be necessary.
Despite rejecting the broad subpoena, the judge left open the possibility for Lively to request specific records from individuals she has already identified in her legal claim.
Ongoing Legal Feud and Counterclaims
Lively’s lawsuit, first filed in December 2024, accuses Baldoni of sexual harassment and orchestrating a retaliatory media campaign against her. Baldoni has denied all allegations and, in January, responded with a countersuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, their publicist, and The New York Times, claiming defamation and extortion.
In response to the judge’s ruling, Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, praised the decision, stating that it blocked an attempt to invade his client’s privacy.
“This is a big win,” Freedman said in a statement. “No matter how the Lively Parties may try to spin this decision, the Court saw their efforts for what they really are: a desperate fishing expedition intended to salvage their debunked claims long after they already savaged our clients’ reputations in the New York Times.”
Lively’s Legal Team Vows to Continue Pursuing Records
Lively’s representatives, however, interpreted the ruling differently. In a statement, her spokesperson questioned why Baldoni’s team was so determined to keep the phone records private.
“What is Bryan Freedman hiding?” the statement read. “After promising to release all the ‘receipts,’ Freedman ran into court to keep secret the phone records of who Baldoni [and his associates] were calling during their retaliatory campaign.”
The statement went on to clarify that while the judge rejected the original broad request, he did not block Lively from obtaining records entirely. Instead, Lively’s team intends to submit revised, more specific discovery requests to access communications they believe are crucial to their case.
“Today we will do that,” the spokesperson continued. “We are submitting those requests directly to defendants involved and we look forward to seeing the records.”
Trial Expected in 2026 Amid Heated Legal Battle
The legal battle between Lively and Baldoni appears to be far from over. Both sides have already rejected the possibility of early mediation, with court filings on February 13 indicating that neither party is open to settling the matter outside of court.
The case is currently scheduled to go to trial in March 2026.
Meanwhile, Lively has amended her original lawsuit to include claims that two unidentified female cast members from It Ends With Us are willing to testify about Baldoni’s alleged misconduct on set. Baldoni’s lawyer dismissed these additions as weak, calling them “underwhelming” and claiming they consist of “unsubstantial hearsay of unnamed persons who are clearly no longer willing to come forward or publicly support her claims.”
As the lawsuit progresses, both Lively and Baldoni continue to stand firm in their opposing positions, setting the stage for a contentious legal battle that could have significant ramifications for both their careers.
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