Justin Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, has addressed his decision to represent the actor-director amid his ongoing legal conflict with It Ends with Us costar Blake Lively. Freedman, who previously represented writer Travis Flores in a lawsuit against Baldoni, explained that his decision to take on the new case was based on his belief in Baldoni’s character and ethics, despite their previous involvement in legal disputes.
The Los Angeles Times recently profiled the evolving legal situation between Baldoni and Lively, highlighting Freedman’s past role in defending Flores. Flores had filed a lawsuit against Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Entertainment, alleging that they used elements of a 2010 screenplay he wrote when Baldoni made his 2019 film Five Feet Apart. Flores claimed that Baldoni had used his work without permission, a claim that was eventually dismissed with prejudice in March 2022. No determination of liability was made in the case, and Flores passed away from complications of cystic fibrosis in 2024 at the age of 33.
In his statement, Freedman explained why he chose to represent Baldoni despite his previous work with Flores. “Over the years, I have learned what great people Justin and Wayfarer are,” Freedman said. “The [Flores] case was resolved without any determination of liability on Justin’s or Wayfarer or any other defendant’s part. Since then, it has been further confirmed to me that Justin and Wayfarer are exceedingly honorable and highly ethical.”
For his part, Baldoni’s spokesperson firmly denied any knowledge of Flores’ screenplay prior to the making of Five Feet Apart, asserting that the actor-director was “absolutely not” familiar with the script.
Freedman has represented Baldoni since December 2024, when Lively first filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against him. The lawsuit alleged that Baldoni had engaged in inappropriate behavior on the set of It Ends with Us, which led to further legal action. Baldoni later filed a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times for its reporting on the claims and also counter-sued Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds.
Lively’s legal team filed an updated version of the lawsuit on February 18, 2025. In the amended complaint, Lively claimed that two unidentified female co-stars from It Ends with Us would testify about Baldoni’s allegedly inappropriate behavior on the movie’s set. In response, Freedman dismissed the new allegations, calling the updated complaint “underwhelming” and accusing Lively’s team of relying on “unsubstantial hearsay.” He also suggested that the unnamed witnesses were no longer willing to support Lively’s claims publicly.
“The complaint is filled with unsubstantial hearsay of unnamed persons who are clearly no longer willing to come forward or publicly support her claims,” Freedman said in a statement following the filing.
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Despite the ongoing legal drama, both Lively and Baldoni’s legal teams opted out of “inappropriate” and “premature” pre-trial mediation in February. As of now, the cases in Lively v. Wayfarer Studios are scheduled to go to trial in March 2026.
The ongoing legal conflict between Baldoni and Lively has captured widespread attention, especially given the high-profile nature of the two stars. The accusations, which range from sexual harassment to defamation, have continued to evolve since Lively’s initial filing, with both sides making public statements in defense of their positions. As the legal battle continues, it remains to be seen how it will impact the careers of both actors and the production companies involved.
Baldoni, known for his roles in Jane the Virgin and Five Feet Apart, has also made a name for himself as a director and producer, while Lively, famed for her role in Gossip Girl and films such as The Shallows, has remained a major presence in Hollywood. With both stars involved in high-stakes litigation, the upcoming trial in 2026 could provide a critical resolution to a legal dispute that has captivated the public.
As both legal teams prepare for the trial, all eyes will be on how the case unfolds, particularly the role that unnamed co-stars might play in the proceedings. In the meantime, Freedman’s defense of Baldoni stands firm, with the attorney continuing to argue that his client is being unfairly targeted by what he describes as unsubstantiated allegations.
