The legal showdown between Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and Justin Baldoni is intensifying, with Lively’s attorney raising concerns about potential leaks of sensitive case details.
During a virtual hearing on Thursday, Merly Governksi, the couple’s lawyer, urged a Manhattan judge to impose a stricter “attorneys’ eyes only” protective order on discovery materials. Governksi argued that without it, private information could be exposed to the media, fueling speculation and sensational headlines.
“There is an insatiable appetite for any information about this case, no matter how salacious,” Governksi told US District Judge Lewis Liman. “Even the most routine details have become tabloid fodder.”
Governksi also warned that subpoenas involving third parties could risk “irreparable harm” if sensitive communications with high-profile individuals unrelated to the case were made public.
A High-Stakes Court Battle
The legal fight stems from Lively’s December lawsuit against Baldoni, her director and co-star in It Ends With Us, accusing him of sexual harassment on set and orchestrating a retaliatory smear campaign. The suit also names Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer Studios, his producers, and his publicists as defendants.
Baldoni has denied the allegations and responded with a defamation countersuit against Lively and Reynolds. Both cases have since been consolidated into one.
Governksi argued that a stronger protective order is necessary to prevent medical records and security measures related to Lively and Reynolds from being disclosed. She cited concerns about potential risks to their safety, especially in light of violent and threatening messages Lively and her supporters have already received.
“We don’t see any reason why the parties themselves need to know the specific details about Mrs. Lively and Mr. Reynolds’ security measures,” she said.
Baldoni’s Legal Team Pushes Back
Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, dismissed the claims, insisting that the existing court-ordered protective measures were sufficient.
“I think it’s rather offensive that anyone would suggest that we would disregard a protective order,” Freedman said, arguing that Baldoni’s team has no interest in the couple’s security arrangements.
However, Governksi countered, pointing out that Baldoni’s legal team had subpoenaed Lively and Reynolds’ security firm for records related to their safety measures.
What’s Next?
A spokesperson for Lively emphasized that all parties acknowledge the need to protect sensitive case details, but the dispute lies in who gets access.
“This additional protection would ensure that the defendants, who have committed to spending $100 million to destroying Ms. Lively and her family, do not have access to information that only attorneys need to see,” the statement read.
Baldoni’s legal team has yet to issue an official response following the hearing.
With both sides locked in a heated legal battle, the judge’s decision on the protective order could shape how much information remains behind closed doors, and how much reaches the public.
