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Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Trial May Start Early Unless Lawyers Limit Press Engagement: Judge

Blake Lively's lawsuit against Justin Baldoni will head to trial in March 2026 as long as their legal representatives follow set rules around press.

While neither Baldoni nor Lively appeared in court for the hearing, the presence of their attorneys was particularly relevant to the case as the judge addressed ongoing publicity campaigns that could potentially impact the jury pool. Freedman has suggested that Gottlieb was responsible, at least in part, for the bombshell New York Times article regarding Lively’s accusations against Baldoni, who is currently suing the publication for libel and false light invasion of privacy. Given that both legal parties have accused the other of weaponizing the press in similar ways, Liman has instructed both Baldoni and Lively’s representatives to adhere to the New York Rules of Professional Conduct for trial publicity, according to Variety.

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