American actress Blake Lively and her former “It Ends with Us” director and co-star Justin Baldoni, whom she has accused of sexually harassing her during the film’s tense production, met in federal court for the first time on Monday. Their complicated legal story has been the focus of weeks of social media analysis.
Neither Lively nor Baldoni attended the pre-trial session in New York when Judge Lewis Liman counselled their lawyers to refrain from public remarks that might sway the outcome of the case.
The trial is now set for March 2026, but the court stated that he has the authority to expedite it if the parties attempt to litigate this case in the media.

In court, Lively’s and Baldoni’s solicitors stressed the harm the litigation has caused to their clients.
Bryan Freedman, Baldoni’s lawyer, remarked, “My clients are devastated financially and emotionally.” He also mentioned that his clients had incurred damages totalling hundreds of millions of dollars. For the sake of their “future livelihood,” he stated, they want the lawsuit to proceed swiftly.
The “retaliation campaign” by Baldoni’s team has been “devastating” for Lively, according to her lawyer Michael Gottlieb.
“You should refrain from attacking the character of the other party,” he stated.
According to Gottlieb, he intends to submit a revised lawsuit with new allegations and more defendants by February 14.
Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, another of Lively’s lawyers, expressed their satisfaction with the outcome and their desire to proceed with discovery in this matter right now in a statement following the hearing.
“The Court granted our request that all lawyers involved in the case genuinely abide by the law and refrain from saying anything that could sway a jury,” they stated.
“We are certain that Ms. Lively will win this case after all the evidence has been presented, and we will hold the defendants responsible.”
A civil lawsuit was filed approximately a week after Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation in a complaint she first filed with the California Civil Rights Department in December.
Baldoni is a writer, director, and producer who also built a brand around urging men to be better allies to women.
In contrast, Baldoni has refuted Lively’s claims. He sued Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds last month, alleging slander, invasion of privacy, and civil extortion.