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Blake Lively’s legal involvement in the Justin Baldoni case has taken another turn, as her scheduled deposition has officially been postponed to July 31. The delay follows a significant procedural development: Jed Wallace, a prominent social media strategist initially named in the lawsuit, was dismissed from the case due to jurisdiction issues. Though Wallace’s dismissal was “without prejudice,” meaning Lively could refile against him at a later time, the court’s move has temporarily shifted the legal dynamics of the high-profile dispute.
A spokesperson for Lively confirmed to TMZ that the actress respects the court’s decision regarding Wallace’s dismissal. The representative emphasized that the ruling does not reflect on the validity of Lively’s allegations but instead hinges on the technical legal question of jurisdiction—specifically, whether Wallace falls under New York’s authority or another state’s. Lively’s legal team is reportedly assessing their next steps and has stated they are exploring “numerous options for holding Mr. Wallace accountable.”
The lawsuit itself, centered around allegations of misconduct and an alleged smear campaign involving the Wayfarer Parties—linked to Baldoni’s production company—has drawn increasing public attention. While Lively was initially expected to give her deposition earlier this month, the court has now granted her a protective order, requiring Baldoni’s legal team to hold the deposition at a location approved by her. The court did, however, acknowledge that Baldoni’s side is entitled to question Lively, as she is a central figure in the claims brought forward.
In response, Baldoni’s lawyers accused the Gossip Girl alum of leveraging her celebrity status to manipulate the legal process, particularly in influencing the location and terms of the deposition. Despite the protective order, the court reiterated that both parties must be afforded equal opportunity to gather essential testimony.
With a new deposition date set for July 31, all eyes will be on how the proceedings unfold. The trial, should it go forward without further delays or settlements, is currently scheduled to begin in March 2026, signaling a long legal road ahead for both Lively and Baldoni.