A legal battle involving Taylor Swift, Blake Lively, and Justin Baldoni has taken a significant turn. Justin Baldoni, director of the film *It Ends With Us*, attempted to depose Taylor Swift as part of his ongoing legal dispute with Blake Lively, who accused him of sexual harassment and retaliation. Baldoni's legal team initially claimed Swift had agreed to a deposition, citing scheduling conflicts around her album release. However, Swift's attorney, Douglas Baldridge, swiftly refuted this claim in a court filing, stating that while Swift's schedule could accommodate a deposition in late October, she never formally agreed to one. This prompted strong reactions from both sides. Lively's legal team criticized Baldoni's team for their lack of diligence, highlighting that the request was made only recently, despite months of potential scheduling opportunities. They accused Baldoni of attempting to create a media spectacle. Judge Lewis J. Liman ultimately sided with Lively and dismissed Baldoni's request, citing a lack of diligence on Baldoni's part in securing the deposition before the discovery deadline. This decision effectively ends Baldoni's attempt to involve Swift in the high-profile legal battle. The judge's order highlighted Baldoni's team's failure to demonstrate appropriate diligence in contacting Swift's representatives in a timely manner, further emphasizing the court's rejection of the deposition request. The original lawsuit centers around Lively's claims against Baldoni, which he vehemently denies. While Baldoni initially countersued for defamation, these counterclaims were dismissed by Judge Liman. The case is scheduled to go to trial in March 2026, focusing solely on Lively's original allegations.
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Originally published at: https://www.billboard.com/pro/taylor-swift-deposition-blake-lively-lawsuit-justin-baldoni/
