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The legal dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has intensified, with new developments confirming that depositions will begin on July 17 and extend over the following weeks. Both sides are preparing for a lengthy legal showdown, issuing subpoenas to individuals connected to the case in both direct and peripheral roles. This procedural phase is expected to lay the groundwork for what’s shaping up to be a high-profile trial.
Lively’s legal team has already sent subpoenas to publicists associated with Baldoni, seeking relevant communications and documents. In response, Baldoni’s attorneys have requested a one-week extension to compile the materials. The formal exchange signals the increasingly serious tone of the proceedings.
In addition to deposition timelines, it’s now confirmed that the case will be moving toward trial. Lively’s legal representatives emphasized the importance of courtroom testimony, suggesting that the actress will take the stand. Their statement highlighted the trial as the “ultimate moment” for Lively to share her story publicly, indicating they intend to present a strong, narrative-driven case.
Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, also expressed confidence heading into the next phase. In comments to TMZ, he underlined the need for Lively to present concrete evidence, stating she would be held accountable to “provide the truth of the stories” under oath. This pointed remark underscores the contentious and personal nature of the legal battle.
The roots of the conflict date back to December 2024, when Blake Lively filed a lawsuit accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment on the set of It Ends With Us. The situation quickly escalated when Baldoni responded with a counterclaim, alleging defamation and extortion—naming both Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, in his suit.
The trial is officially scheduled for March 2026, leaving months of preparation, depositions, and discovery ahead. While both parties have remained largely silent in the public sphere, their respective legal teams have made it clear that this case will be aggressively litigated, and the outcome could have wide-reaching implications in both Hollywood and public discourse.