Justin Baldoni (left) and Blake Lively (right).Photo:Gregory Pace/Shutterstock;Taylor Hill/WireImage
Gregory Pace/Shutterstock;Taylor Hill/WireImage
Blake LivelyandJustin Baldoni’s legal battle doesn’t look likely to end any time soon.
A little more than five weeks have passed since Lively, 37,initially filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Departmentalleging Baldoni, 41, herIt Ends With Uscostar and director, sexually harassed her on set and then retaliated with a smear campaign after she spoke up.
Since then, Baldoni hasfiled a $250 million defamation lawsuit againstThe New York Times, which first published Lively’s allegations; Lively filed a formal lawsuit against Baldoni, two colleagues at his production company Wayfarer as well as his publicists; andBaldoni sued Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds and their publicist, claiming that Lively was the one to smear him and that she plotted to take control of the film and its promotion.
As Lively and Baldoni’s legal teams prepare for a Feb. 12 pretrial court date stemming from their lawsuits, PEOPLE spoke withlegal expert Gregory Doll— a lawyer and partner at Doll Amir & Eley in Los Angeles who is not representing either party — to answer some burning questions.
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in ‘It Ends With Us.'.Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Could a trial be televised?
Not likely, since their legal battle is unfolding in United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, a federal court. “By filing in federal court, they foreclosed the possibility that there will be any cameras in the proceedings,” says Doll, pointing to strict rules largely prohibiting recording devices.
According to uscourts.gov, “Judicial Conference policy does not allow either civil or criminal courtroom proceedings in the district courts to be broadcast, televised, recorded, or photographed for the purpose of public dissemination.” Some pilot programs have allowed cameras in federal courts, but they are rare.
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds in 2022.Noam Galai/Getty
Noam Galai/Getty
When is the earliest a trial would happen?
Doll doesn’t foresee a trial until 2026. “I would put 90% odds you’re not going to see anything in 2025,” says Doll, who anticipates a complicated and lengthy discovery phase (i.e. when parties exchange evidence and information related to the case).
Justin Baldoni on Dec. 4, 2024.Araya Doheny/Variety via Getty
Araya Doheny/Variety via Getty
Will Justin and Blake come face-to-face at the next court date?
Lively and Baldoni won’t necessarily have to see each other on Feb. 12, avoiding a potentially awkward or emotional encounter. “Typically the parties themselves — meaning Blake Lively and Baldoni — would not need to show up in person at those, but the lawyers need to show up,” explains Doll.
Will Justin and Blake even go to trial?
Right now, both sides seem full steam ahead, but Dollexpects a settlement to happenbefore they head to a trial. “Ninety-two percent of all civil cases settle so odds are overwhelmingly that the case will settle,” says Doll.Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s 2022 defamation trialwas the “rare exception,” he notes.
source: people.com
