The ongoing legal feud between Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and Justin Baldoni has taken a dramatic turn as the couple’s legal team calls for a gag order against Baldoni’s chief attorney, Bryan Freedman . The request, filed on January 21, 2025 , accuses Freedman of making inflammatory public statements that could prejudice the upcoming trial. Here’s everything you need to know about the escalating drama.
Why Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds Want a Gag Order?
On January 21, 2025, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds’ legal team sent a letter to Judge Lewis J. Liman, urging him to impose a gag order on Bryan Freedman, the lead attorney for Justin Baldoni. The couple claims that Freedman’s media appearances and leaked information are jeopardizing the fairness of the case.
Allegations Against Bryan Freedman
In their letter, Lively and Reynolds’ lawyers accused Freedman of engaging in a pattern of behavior that violates professional conduct rules. They wrote:
“Mr. Freedman [Baldoni’s lawyer] has given television interviews, appeared on podcasts, issued inflammatory written statements, and leaked information (including, remarkably, documents as banal as document preservation demands to third parties) to the Hollywood press and tabloid media.”
The couple’s legal team also alleged that Freedman’s actions are part of a broader campaign to retaliate against Lively. They claimed that many of his public statements not only perpetuate the harassment Lively described in her lawsuit but also introduce new false allegations about her and others involved in the case.
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The Role of Cease and Desist Letters
Before filing her official complaint on December 21, 2024, Lively had already issued a cease and desist order against Wayfarer Studios, Baldoni’s production company. According to the January 21 letter, she also sent a direct cease and desist to Freedman on December 23, demanding he stop making public statements about the case.
Despite these efforts, Lively’s team claims that Freedman continued to speak to the media, further violating New York State’s Rules of Professional Conduct. Their letter emphasized:
“As Ms. Lively’s counsel have attempted, repeatedly, to caution Mr. Freedman, federal litigation must be conducted in court and according to the relevant rules of professional conduct. His conduct threatens to, and will, materially prejudice both the Lively Case and the Wayfarer Case by tainting the jury pool, because his statements are deliberately aimed at undermining the ‘character, credibility, [and] reputation’ of numerous relevant parties.”
Justin Baldoni’s Team Rejects the Gag Order Request
Unsurprisingly, Justin Baldoni’s legal team fired back against the gag order request. On the same day, Kevin Fritz, one of Baldoni’s attorneys, sent a letter to Judge Liman dismissing the demand as an “intimidation tactic.”
Fritz argued that Lively’s request was baseless and accused her team of attempting to silence Baldoni’s defense. He wrote:
“The Lively Parties’ desire to force the Wayfarer Parties to defend themselves privately against allegations made publicly is not a proper basis for a gag order. It is tactical gamesmanship, and it is outrageous. If, as the Lively Parties’ letter suggests, such a protective order is formally requested, it should be denied.”
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Blake Lively’s Team Doubles Down: A Second Letter
Undeterred by Baldoni’s rebuttal, Lively’s legal team sent another letter to the court on January 24, 2025, reiterating their request for a gag order. This time, Esra Hudson, one of Lively’s attorneys, highlighted what she described as a “retaliation campaign” against Lively.
Hudson wrote:
“The retaliation campaign that Ms. Lively alleged in her Complaint has continued since the CRD Complaint was filed, and may have even been accelerated.”
The letter also criticized Freedman for making “extrajudicial statements” that could harm not only this case but also other women who face workplace sexual harassment. It stated:
“The Wayfarer Parties are attempting to draw a dangerous false equivalence that may have profound consequences not just for this case, but for other women who are sexually harassed in the workplace given the high profile of this matter.”
What Sparked the Controversy?
The dispute centers around Blake Lively’s lawsuit against Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios, filed on December 20, 2024. In her complaint, Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment, inappropriate workplace conduct, and orchestrating a smear campaign to damage her reputation during the filming of It Ends With Us .
Baldoni’s team responded by releasing alleged video footage from the set of the film, claiming it disproves Lively’s allegations. However, Lively’s lawyers argue that the release of this footage—and Freedman’s accompanying statements—constitutes retaliation and violates ethical guidelines.
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Upcoming Pre-Trial Hearing
A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for February 3, 2025, where Judge Liman will hear arguments regarding Lively’s request for a gag order. The outcome of this hearing could significantly impact how the case proceeds, particularly in terms of media coverage and public perception.