Justin Baldoni's Attorney Explains Why He Represented Director After Previously Working for Someone Who Sued Him

Mar. 15, 2025

Justin Baldoni on August 8, 2024 on NBC’s TODAY.Photo:Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty

Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty

Justin Baldoni’s attorney in hisongoing legal conflictwithBlake Livelyis explaining why he chose to represent the actor-director — even though he previously worked for a client who sued Baldoni.In aLos Angeles Timesprofile on Baldoni, 41, and the ever-evolving legal situation between him and hisIt Ends with Uscostar Lively, 37, the outlet noted that Baldoni’s attorneyBryan Freedmanpreviously represented writer Travis Flores, who 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 movieFive Feet Apart.Flores ultimately voluntarily dismissed his lawsuit against Wayfarer and Baldoni with prejudice in March 2022 and no determination of liability was made in his copyright claim. The writer died in 2024 from complications of cystic fibrosis at age 33.“Over the years, I have learned what great people Justin and Wayfarer are," Freedman said in statement about why he chose to represent Baldoni. “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.”Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively.James Devaney/GC Images; Ian West/PA Images via GettyNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.For Baldoni’s part, a spokesperson for the actor-filmmaker and Wayfarer Studios told thethe Los Angeles Timesthat he was “absolutely not” familiar with Flores' screenplay before he madeFive Feet Apart.Justin Baldoni on Dec. 13, 2023.Dia Dipasupil/GettyFreedman has been Baldoni’s lawyer since Lively first filed a sexual harassment complaint against Baldoni in December 2024. Baldoni later suedThe New York Timesover its reporting on the alleged smear campaign against Lively and her lawsuit and counter-sued Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds.On Feb. 18, Livelyfiled an updated versionof her original December 2024 lawsuit, claiming that two unidentified femaleIt Ends with Uscostars“will testify”about Baldoni’s allegedly inappropriate behavior on the movie’s set. Freedmancalledthe amended complaint “underwhelming” and “filled with unsubstantial hearsay of unnamed persons who are clearly no longer willing to come forward or publicly support her claims” in a statement.Attorneys for both Lively and Baldoniopted outof “inappropriate” and “premature” pre-trial mediation in February; both cases inLively v. Wayfarer Studios et al.are currently scheduled to go to trial inMarch 2026.

Justin Baldoni’s attorney in hisongoing legal conflictwithBlake Livelyis explaining why he chose to represent the actor-director — even though he previously worked for a client who sued Baldoni.

In aLos Angeles Timesprofile on Baldoni, 41, and the ever-evolving legal situation between him and hisIt Ends with Uscostar Lively, 37, the outlet noted that Baldoni’s attorneyBryan Freedmanpreviously represented writer Travis Flores, who 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 movieFive Feet Apart.

Flores ultimately voluntarily dismissed his lawsuit against Wayfarer and Baldoni with prejudice in March 2022 and no determination of liability was made in his copyright claim. The writer died in 2024 from complications of cystic fibrosis at age 33.

“Over the years, I have learned what great people Justin and Wayfarer are,” Freedman said in statement about why he chose to represent Baldoni. “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.”

Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively.James Devaney/GC Images; Ian West/PA Images via Getty

James Devaney/GC Images; Ian West/PA Images via Getty

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

For Baldoni’s part, a spokesperson for the actor-filmmaker and Wayfarer Studios told thethe Los Angeles Timesthat he was “absolutely not” familiar with Flores' screenplay before he madeFive Feet Apart.

Justin Baldoni on Dec. 13, 2023.Dia Dipasupil/Getty

Dia Dipasupil/Getty

Freedman has been Baldoni’s lawyer since Lively first filed a sexual harassment complaint against Baldoni in December 2024. Baldoni later suedThe New York Timesover its reporting on the alleged smear campaign against Lively and her lawsuit and counter-sued Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds.

On Feb. 18, Livelyfiled an updated versionof her original December 2024 lawsuit, claiming that two unidentified femaleIt Ends with Uscostars“will testify”about Baldoni’s allegedly inappropriate behavior on the movie’s set. Freedmancalledthe amended complaint “underwhelming” and “filled with unsubstantial hearsay of unnamed persons who are clearly no longer willing to come forward or publicly support her claims” in a statement.

Attorneys for both Lively and Baldoniopted outof “inappropriate” and “premature” pre-trial mediation in February; both cases inLively v. Wayfarer Studios et al.are currently scheduled to go to trial inMarch 2026.

source: people.com