11:10 AM PT “We are happy with the outcome of today’s hearing and eager to move forward immediately with discovery in this case,” Michael Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, Blake Lively’s lawyers, told TMZ. Our plea that all lawyers involved in the case really abide by the law and refrain from saying anything that can sway a jury was granted by the court. Serious claims of sexual harassment and retribution are at issue in this case. We are certain that Ms. Lively will win this case after all the evidence has been presented, and we will hold the defendants responsible.
The court mandated that all parties follow the New York Rules of Professional Conduct, which forbid attorneys from saying anything that might “substantially taint” a jury. Nevertheless, the regulations provide lawyers the chance to communicate with the media in order to shield their clients from bad press.
Bryan Freedman, Baldoni’s lawyer, says he and Blake’s lawyers are okay with such limits for the time being.
Since Justin’s lawyer was given a half-gag order at the first court hearing in their feud, Justin Baldoni has achieved what he perceives to be a legal victory against Blake Lively.
For the first time since Blake filed a $250 million sexual harassment complaint against Justin, who retaliated with a $400 million defamation claim, the “It Ends With Us” actors’ legal teams appeared before a court in New York on Monday.
Blake has been attempting to dissuade Bryan Freedman, Justin’s lawyer, from gushing about the case in the press.
Blake’s attorneys attacked Freedman at Monday’s heated session, saying he is being much too talkative about the case in public, which leaves them with little leeway to reply in the court of public opinion.
Justin’s new website devoted to the case was also criticized by Blake’s attorneys, who told the court they believe it is “improper.”
Freedman justified his actions by claiming that Blake’s team is doing similarly, referencing the New York Times piece in which Blake first accused Justin of sexual harassment. Although the judge claims there is no proof, he claims Blake’s crew was responsible for the story and that Justin was only given 12 hours’ warning of their attack article by the media.
Blake suffered yet another setback when the court informed her attorneys that she had no say in who deposes her. Freedman says Lively and her legal team do not want him to take her deposition, as we initially reported.
Here, Blake and Justin’s separate claims are being combined into a single case, and the court has said that, barring a settlement or media coverage, the trial is anticipated to begin in March.