NEW YORK – A federal judge in New York City has ruled in favor of actress Blake Lively, granting her request to limit the disclosure of sensitive information related to her ongoing litigation against director and co-star Justin Baldoni of the film “It Ends With Us.”
Lively has accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation, while Baldoni has filed a defamation lawsuit against Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds.
In the recent ruling, Judge Lewis Liman approved Lively’s request to restrict certain discovery material to be viewed only by attorneys, citing the involvement of celebrities and their publicists in the case. The protected information includes trade secrets, business plans, security measures, medical records, and intimate details about third parties.
The judge recognized the risks of such confidential information being leaked to the press or circulated within the tight-knit artistic community, potentially causing harm to the parties involved.
Despite objections from Baldoni’s legal team regarding limitations on sharing information with clients, the judge emphasized the importance of maintaining a higher level of secrecy to ensure an efficient discovery process.
During a previous hearing, the judge noted the inevitability of sensitive information becoming public due to the high-profile nature of the case, especially in the entertainment industry.
A spokesperson for Lively expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, emphasizing the significance of protecting the discovery material to prevent witness intimidation and safeguard individual security.
With the new protections in place, Lively can proceed with gathering evidence to support her claims in court, as the legal battle continues between the Hollywood figures.