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Judge Rules on Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s Protective Order Request
A significant development has occurred in the legal proceedings involving Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, as Judge Lewis Liman has issued a ruling on Lively’s request for a strengthened protective order. This order is designed to safeguard the confidentiality of sensitive information that will be exchanged during the discovery phase of the ongoing case.
On Thursday, the judge provided a detailed protective order that establishes an “attorneys’ eyes only” (AEO) category. This classification was a key point for Lively, who sought to ensure that highly sensitive information remains shielded from public scrutiny.
In the court documents obtained by “Extra,” Judge Liman specified that the AEO designation is meant for information of a particularly confidential, personal, or proprietary nature. The potential harm from revealing such information, according to the judge, could lead to serious competitive, financial, or privacy-related injuries for the party providing the information.
Liman delineated examples of what could be classified under the AEO designation, including trade secrets, marketing strategies, security protocols, medical records, and deeply personal details pertaining to third parties. Additionally, vital personal information such as social security numbers, phone numbers, addresses, and financial account details are protected under this ruling.
The judge acknowledged the sensitive nature of the case, pointing out that it involves both commercial competitors and allegations of sexual misconduct, necessitating the protection of confidential personal and business information. He stated, “The risk of disclosure is great,” highlighting the potential repercussions of information leaks.
However, the ruling comes with a notable caveat. Judge Liman indicated that any discovery material introduced as evidence during trial or related to summary judgment motions would unlikely receive confidential treatment, even if previously sealed. He clarified that the order does not grant unrestricted protections on all disclosures or responses to discovery. Instead, it applies only to information that legitimately qualifies for confidential treatment under existing legal principles.
In his ruling, Liman expressed that the moving parties successfully demonstrated a valid need for this limited AEO provision, noting its critical importance for the fair and expedient resolution of the case.
In response, Justin Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, expressed compliance with the judge’s narrow scope of protections for sensitive information such as mental health records and personal security details. Freedman highlighted his view that Lively’s request for an extensive array of documents covering a 2.5-year period was excessive and unwarranted.
Freedman further stated, “We remain focused on the necessary communications that will directly contradict Ms. Lively’s unfounded accusations,” indicating his commitment to countering Lively’s claims while contesting any attempts to mislabel crucial information as trade secrets.
On the other hand, Lively’s team offered their perspective, stating that the court’s decision to reject objections from Baldoni’s side was crucial for ensuring a safe discovery process. They emphasized that the protective order would facilitate the gathering of evidence necessary to support Lively’s claims in court.
In a previous court session, Lively’s legal team had advocated vigorously for the protective order, asserting the high risk of irreparable harm if even marginal communications with high-profile individuals—unrelated to the case—leaked publicly. They cited the potential public relations damage as a significant motivating factor for such leaks.
The legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni is set to continue, with a trial scheduled for March 2026, as both sides prepare for what is expected to be a contentious courtroom showdown over their conflicting lawsuits.
Source
extratv.com