Judge Grants Blake Lively Enhanced Protections in 'It Ends With Us' Legal Battle

A federal judge has approved an expanded protective order in the high-profile legal dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, co-stars of "It Ends With Us."

The ruling, issued on Thursday, March 13, 2025, aims to prevent sensitive information from becoming public as the case progresses.

U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman acknowledged the unique challenges presented by this case, citing its high-profile nature and the involvement of business competitors alongside allegations of sexual harm.

The judge noted that the standard protective order would be insufficient given the potential for leaked information to spread rapidly within the entertainment industry.

Certain sensitive materials, such as medical records, security information, and trade secrets related to future business projects, will be marked as "attorneys' eyes only."

This measure is designed to protect not only Lively and Baldoni but also other high-profile individuals involved in the case.

The judge recognized the difficulty in protecting highly personal information about third parties, given the nature of the sexual harassment allegations.

Both legal teams have accused each other of attempting to litigate the case through the media, prompting the need for stricter confidentiality measures.

Lively's legal team welcomed the decision, stating that it ensures the free flow of discovery material without risking witness intimidation or individual security.

They had previously cited concerns about online harassment and the potential leaking of sensitive information, including details about Lively's children. Lively's team also expressed concerns that personal conversations between her and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, could be leaked to garner press attention.

Baldoni's attorney, Bryan Freedman, expressed agreement with the narrow scope of protections granted, emphasizing that they remain focused on communications that will contradict Lively's accusations.

Freedman noted that the additional restrictions were not necessary and that his team never had an interest in sensitive personal information.

The case, set for trial in March 2026, continues to draw significant media attention. As the legal battle unfolds, both parties will need to navigate the delicate balance between protecting sensitive information and maintaining transparency in the judicial process.

The legal dispute has also involved disagreements over discovery requests. Lively's team had issued subpoenas to obtain extensive phone, text, and email records from Baldoni and his associates, which the judge deemed overly intrusive.

The court ruled that only certain records narrowly tailored to reveal relevant information could be obtained for the case. This decision reflects the ongoing challenges in managing privacy interests while ensuring a fair legal process. As the case progresses, both sides will continue to face scrutiny over how they handle sensitive information and media attention.