Blake Lively Seeks Protective Order Against Public Deposition Spectacle in New York

Blake Lively is scheduled for a deposition on July 17 in her ongoing sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, her co-star and director. Baldoni's lawyer, Bryan Freedman, controversially proposed holding the deposition at Madison Square Garden, live-streaming it, and selling tickets with proceeds benefiting domestic abuse victims, a suggestion Lively's legal team strongly opposes. Lively's attorneys have filed a motion requesting a protective order to prevent the deposition from becoming a "public spectacle," seeking a private, redacted location and requiring all attendees to be identified in advance to avoid media and social media presence. Her representatives have criticized Baldoni's legal team for attempting to turn a serious legal matter into a publicity stunt, emphasizing that the case deserves to be treated with gravity. The legal filings also express concern about potential harassment, including exposure to paparazzi, if the deposition is held in a less controlled environment. The parties have agreed on the date, but conflicts remain over discovery processes and the deposition's logistics.