Extra: In Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Cases NYS Rules on Lawyer Statements Imposed in SDNY

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by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Feb 3 – In the Blake Lively v. Justin Baldoni lawsuits, a hearing was held on February 3 before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Lewis J. Liman. Inner City Press was there with live coverage, from the thread:

Judge Liman: I'll adopt the case management plan with the following changes... Interrogatories due on March 14. In Jones v. Abel, I'll adopt the plan except that I'm not adopting the date for the joint pre-trial order nor deadline for summary judgment.

Judge Liman: Mr. Gottlieb, do you wish to be heard on pre-trial publicity?

Lively's lawyer Gottlieb: The issue is straight forward. The conduct of Mr. Freedman has violated NY Rules of Professional Conduct - they prohibit extra-judicial statements like this

Baldoni's Freedman: On Jan 2 they said, Nothing changes anything about Ms. Lively's claim, we encourage people to read her complaint. Judge Liman: You could have said that, review our pleadings. But you went further Freedman: They said, sex harassment is illegal

Baldoni's Freedman: My client suffered 100s of millions of dollars in damages. We're willing to stipulate to the local rules- Judge Liman: I will adopt the Rule, with some reluctance. Still, I don't want satellite litigation about statements of the lawyers

Judge Liman: If it turns out this ends of being litigated in the press I may accelerate the date of the trial. Unless this case is settled, a jury will speak. Baldoni's Freedman: Damage is done before a jury speaks. Judge Liman: I get it. Adjourned

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