Blake Lively's legal team has filed a motion for sanctions against attorneys representing Justin Baldoni, accusing them of disruptive behaviour during depositions, including laughing, speechifying, and making lengthy objections. The motion, filed on Friday, also seeks to block questions about Lively's romantic and sexual history, which her lawyers argue are irrelevant to her harassment and retaliation lawsuit against Baldoni and others involved in the film "It Ends With Us."
In a letter sent to Baldoni's lawyers in September, Lively's counsel stated: "Ms. Lively's sexual and/or romantic history has no bearing on the matters at issue in this case and we will not tolerate such examination." The legal team invoked the rape shield law, which protects victims of sexual assault from questioning about their sexual history.
The latest motion stems from Monday's deposition of Nicole Alexander, a defence expert, where Lively's lawyers claim Baldoni's counsel, including Bryan Freedman and Kevin Fritz, impeded and delayed proceedings. They allege an "ongoing pattern of deposition misconduct" and have previously filed sanctions motions accusing Freedman of trying the case in the media and improperly withholding evidence during discovery.
The case has a court-mandated settlement conference scheduled for 11 February, with the trial postponed to 18 May. Baldoni's team has filed for summary judgment, describing Lively's allegations as a "litany of minor grievances," while Lively's side contends Baldoni is seeking to avoid accountability for creating a hostile environment on set. Judge Lewis Liman is expected to hear arguments on the summary judgment motion and one sanctions motion on 22 January.
