In a legal battle that continues to escalate, attorney Bryan Freedman defends his client, actor Justin Baldoni, against actress Blake Lively’s attempts to access comprehensive phone and communication records. The clash largely stems from accusations Lively made against Baldoni, alleging a deliberate campaign to tarnish her reputation.
Lively, 37, has intensified her legal efforts by recently issuing subpoenas to major phone carriers such as AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. The subpoenas request extensive details from the phone records of Baldoni, his publicist Jennifer Abel, and crisis-management expert Melissa Nathan. Beyond the carriers, subpoenas have also been delivered to internet companies like Cloudflare, Inc. and AOL, seeking to uncover a broader network involved in what she claims is a retaliatory smear campaign.
Freedman, in a resolute statement on February 12, criticized the scope and nature of these subpoenas, describing them as an overreaching attempt to find evidence. He argued that Lively’s legal team is conducting a “massive fishing expedition” with hopes of substantiating their claims, which he deems baseless.
The legal turmoil began following Lively’s allegations of sexual harassment and a orchestrated smear campaign against her, disclosed in a December 2024 complaint. In a defensive move, Baldoni refuted Lively’s charges and filed a counter $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times. His suit challenges the accuracy of a December 21 article that portrayed him as part of a “Hollywood smear machine.”
Countering these developments, Lively’s representatives asserted that her claims are “backed by concrete facts” and condemned any strategies aimed at discrediting her allegations. This includes suggesting that Lively invited or misconstrued the offensive behaviors, or even fabricated the claims—tactics often employed to undermine such serious accusations.
Baldoni’s legal team responded by promising to disclose evidence showcasing Lively’s alleged attempts to assert control over a joint film project. According to Freedman, this includes documented proof of Lively’s aggressive behavior and threats.
The feud reached a new peak on January 16, when Baldoni escalated the battle further by filing a $400 million lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, their publicist Leslie Sloane and her agency Vision PR, Inc. The lawsuit accuses them of civil extortion and defamation.
The ongoing legal dispute, formally known as Lively v. Wayfarer Studios et al., is scheduled for trial on March 9, 2026. This case not only highlights the complexities of litigation in Hollywood but also underscores the enduring struggle over image control and personal integrity within the industry.
As the proceedings advance, both parties remain firm in their positions, setting the stage for a potentially prolonged and contentious legal fight.
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