This week, a judge ruled in favor of Blake Lively on her case against Justin Baldoni. The judge granted Lively a modified protective order, limiting the disclosure of sensitive information to the general public, that way the identities of various celebrities and publicists involved in the ordeal remain protected.
© PA Images via Getty ImagesThe call was made by Judge Lewis Liman, who approved Lively's request and determined that certain material would be for "attorneys' eyes only." Specifically, the protection is granted to information that is considered "highly likely to cause a significant business, commercial, financial or privacy injury."
The judge said that attorneys would be the only ones privy to information like clients' security measures, medical information, and other personal details "about third parties."
© John Nacion“These cases involve both business competitors and allegations of sexual harm,” wrote the judge, as reported by Variety. “Discovery will necessarily include confidential and sensitive business and personal information. The risk of disclosure is great.”
The judge said that the measure was taken in order to prevent "gossip" and "innuendo" from interrupting legal proceedings. Lively's representatives praised the Judge's call and said that it would protect individuals involved in the case.
“With this order in place, Ms. Lively will move forward in the discovery process to obtain even more of the evidence that will prove her claims in Court.”
© Jose Perez/Bauer-GriffinMore details about the Lively vs Baldoni case
Late last year, Lively filed a legal complaint against Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer Studios for sexual harassment and for launching a smear campaign against her.
In the following months, Baldoni retaliated with a $400 million lawsuit against Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds, with his lawyers alleging that Lively's team had spread "grossly edited, unsubstantiated, new and doctored information to the media".
The pair collaborated in the film "It Ends With Us," with Lively starring and serving as producer, and Baldoni starring and serving as director. While the film was a box office hit, it was clearly a controversial and taxing production.
© Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin
