Blake Lively Prevails in Deposition Location Dispute

Blake Lively successfully secured her request to have her deposition take place at her lawyer’s office, despite objections from Justin Baldoni’s legal team, who argued that her celebrity status was being used to influence the process.

In a court ruling, a judge approved Lively’s deposition at her legal representatives’ location scheduled for Thursday, after her attorneys raised concerns about the possible bias or media attention if conducted at Baldoni’s office.

Additionally, Baldoni’s team is mandated to provide a list of attendees for the deposition by Tuesday at noon.

Her legal team had requested the change from Baldoni’s office to avoid media ambushes and paparazzi, citing safety and privacy concerns. The opposing side argued their office is just a mile away, which they contended was enough to permit a location change.

Legal representatives for Baldoni criticized Lively’s efforts, suggesting her use of fame to control the proceedings was inappropriate and that her team’s objections disrupted the process. They also claimed that her request hindered their ability to have a private discussion during the deposition.

“Her conduct appears to be driven by her celebrity status rather than genuine concerns,” asserted Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman. He also noted they possess evidence including emails, texts, and videos to verify their position.

Lively’s representatives expressed frustration at Baldoni’s legal team’s approach, claiming it turned the deposition into a spectacle, with accusations of plans to televise or sell tickets for the event.

In response, Lively’s spokesperson criticized the tactics, emphasizing the serious nature of the allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation, which deserve proper treatment without sensationalism.

Lively initially filed a lawsuit against Baldoni in December 2024, alleging sexual harassment during filming and a coordinated smear campaign. Baldoni denied the claims and countersued for extortion and defamation, but the lawsuit was dismissed earlier this month.