Hollywood in Turmoil: Justin Baldoni’s Lawyer Faces Lawsuit Amid $400 Million “It Ends With Us” Legal Drama 🌪️🎬

Hollywood’s legal landscape has just taken another shocking turn.

Bryan Freedman, one of the entertainment industry’s most well-known attorneys — often called a “pit bull” for his fierce defense of A-list clients — is now facing a lawsuit himself.

According to a new report from The Hollywood Reporter, Freedman, who is currently representing actor and filmmaker Justin Baldoni in his ongoing legal battle with Blake Lively, has been accused of malpractice, invasion of privacy, and defamation by the estate of a former client.

The lawsuit, filed this week in California, is already being called one of the most unexpected legal twists in the saga surrounding It Ends With Us — the blockbuster film that began as a bestselling novel but has now become the center of a Hollywood storm.

A Legal Powerhouse Under Fire

Bryan Freedman is no stranger to controversy. Known for his high-profile clientele and aggressive tactics, he’s represented stars such as Kevin Spacey, Vin Diesel, and FKA Twigs, as well as media giants including South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone.

But this time, the man who’s built a career defending others is the one on defense.

Freedman is being sued by Clement Souyri, the husband of the late writer Travis Flores, who once brought a copyright case against Justin Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios.

Souyri, now managing Flores’ estate, accuses Freedman of mishandling that case — and worse, of betraying his late husband’s trust.

The Background: A Tale of Two Scripts

In 2021, Travis Flores — a writer, motivational speaker, and cystic fibrosis advocate — filed a copyright lawsuit against Baldoni.

Flores claimed that Baldoni’s 2019 film Five Feet Apart had been inspired by his own script, Three Feet Distance, without credit or permission. Both works told emotional stories of young people living with cystic fibrosis — a rare, life-threatening disease that Flores personally battled for years.

The case was settled quietly in 2022, with no admission of wrongdoing by Baldoni or Wayfarer.

But the story didn’t end there.

A Betrayal Alleged

Now, two years after the settlement, Flores’ husband alleges that Bryan Freedman — who had represented Flores in the case — “traded up” from his dying client to represent Baldoni himself in a separate, much larger legal battle.

According to Souyri’s newly filed complaint, Freedman’s decision to later represent Baldoni in his $400 million lawsuit against Blake Lively and The New York Times represents a conflict of interest — and, he says, a betrayal.

“Freedman traded his seriously ill client for the healthier one,” the filing alleges.

Souyri also claims that Freedman violated attorney-client privilege by discussing Flores’ case publicly after his death — something that, under federal law, continues to be protected even after a client passes away.

The complaint also includes accusations of invasion of privacy and defamation, claiming Freedman misrepresented details of Flores’ legal matter in an attempt to defend himself.

A Legal Storm Spreads

Freedman, who has not yet publicly commented on the lawsuit, previously addressed the Flores case earlier this year, when critics questioned his decision to represent Baldoni.

In a statement from March, Freedman said:

“Over the years, I have learned what great people Justin and Wayfarer are. The [Flores] case was resolved without any determination of liability on Justin’s or Wayfarer’s part. Since then, it has been confirmed to me that Justin and Wayfarer are exceedingly honorable and highly ethical.”

That comment, however, has now become part of the controversy — with Souyri’s complaint suggesting that Freedman’s public defense of Baldoni crossed professional lines.

Adding to the complexity, Souyri has reportedly filed a formal complaint with the California State Bar, accusing Freedman of ethical misconduct. The bar has not issued a public response.

The Larger Battle: Baldoni vs. Lively

All of this comes as Baldoni remains entangled in a separate — and explosive — legal feud with his It Ends With Us co-star Blake Lively.

The romantic drama, based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, was released in 2024 amid intense media attention. But behind the scenes, tensions between the two stars had reportedly reached breaking point.

Earlier this year, Baldoni filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively, her publicist, and The New York Times over an investigative report detailing her accusations of misconduct on set.

Lively’s claims — which included allegations of inappropriate workplace behavior — became the centerpiece of the report, which Baldoni claimed was “false and malicious.”

But in June, a federal judge dismissed Baldoni’s lawsuit, ruling that Lively’s claims and the newspaper’s reporting were protected under law.

The New York Times has since filed a counterclaim, seeking reimbursement for legal fees.

Now, the same lawyer who fought for Baldoni in that case is being sued himself — by the family of the man who once accused Baldoni of stealing his story.

It’s a legal web that could only exist in Hollywood.

Bryan Freedman: A Career Built on Conflict

For decades, Freedman has been one of the most feared figures in the industry. Known for his sharp legal instincts and unflinching defense of controversial clients, he’s handled everything from network battles to misconduct cases — often with headlines following close behind.

He has described himself as “the guy you call when everything’s on fire.”

“If you mess with my client,” he once told The Hollywood Reporter, “you get what you get.”

But that reputation has also brought scrutiny.

Recent reports have surfaced detailing past legal disputes involving Freedman — including a 1991 civil settlement related to allegations during his college years. When asked whether that case was disclosed to the California Bar, officials declined to comment, citing confidentiality laws around moral character reviews.

And now, with both a malpractice suit and a bar complaint pending, Freedman finds himself under the kind of public spotlight usually reserved for his clients.

Hollywood’s Legal Circle Holds Its Breath

Insiders say the case could have major implications for how high-profile attorneys handle conflicts of interest in the entertainment industry.

“Hollywood is a small town with big egos,” one veteran producer said privately. “The same lawyer might represent a star today and a rival tomorrow. But when that line blurs too far, this is what happens.”

The new lawsuit against Freedman adds another unpredictable chapter to a saga that’s already included copyright battles, defamation suits, and questions about loyalty and ethics.

Meanwhile, Baldoni has remained largely silent, reportedly focused on upcoming projects through Wayfarer Studios. The filmmaker has been praised for his previous work exploring empathy and illness — including his documentary My Last Days, which once featured Flores himself.

That connection, too, now feels weighted with tragic irony.

A Human Story Behind the Headlines

Behind the courtroom drama and celebrity headlines lies a deeply human story — one of illness, creativity, and trust.

Travis Flores wasn’t just a writer — he was an advocate, a speaker, and a man who turned his battle with cystic fibrosis into a mission to inspire others. His passing in 2023, at only 33, left a void for those who admired his courage.

Now, his widower’s lawsuit is rekindling old wounds — and raising painful questions about loyalty and ethics in an industry where power and fame often outweigh empathy.

What Happens Next

Freedman has yet to file a formal response to Souyri’s lawsuit. Legal experts say the case could take months — or even years — to resolve, depending on whether the California State Bar launches its own disciplinary proceedings.

If found liable, the implications could ripple far beyond this single case, potentially reshaping how attorneys in Hollywood navigate conflicts between former and current clients.

For now, the story continues to unfold — one lawsuit stacked atop another, in a saga that reads more like a movie script than real life.