A Manhattan federal judge ruled this week that Blake Lively can choose the location for her deposition amid her ongoing legal battle with Justin Bardoni. This decision came after Lively’s request was approved by Judge Lewis Liman.
Lively, 37, had been in a contentious court dispute with Bardoni, who is 41, over allegations of sexual harassment occurring during the filming of “It Ends with Us.” The judge specified that Bardoni’s legal team must inform Lively of the chosen location by noon on Tuesday. He also emphasized that Lively’s team should ensure that Bardoni’s lawyers have access to private spaces with necessary resources during the deposition.
The ongoing tensions flared recently after Bardoni’s legal team sought to limit Lively’s control over the deposition logistics. They argued that her celebrity status was being used unfairly to gain an advantage in the case.
Lively has maintained that Bardoni and his spokesperson launched a smear campaign against her after they wrapped filming. Additionally, she’s pursuing a $250 million lawsuit against him and the production company involved.
Bardoni countersued for $400 million, which a judge dismissed last month. His claims included losses tied to his reputation and his relationship with his wife, Ryan Reynolds. The debate over the deposition location has escalated, with claims that Lively’s team was attempting to turn the proceedings into a media spectacle.
Bardoni’s representatives argued that there was no substantial evidence to support Lively’s accusations of a conspiracy to exploit the deposition as a publicity stunt. Lively’s team, on the other hand, suggested that filming her deposition in a controlled environment would ensure her safety and privacy during questioning.
The back-and-forth between the two parties reflects a highly charged legal atmosphere, with both sides appearing to strategize carefully amid the public scrutiny surrounding their case.
