What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Judge Lewis J. Liman denied Blake Lively’s motion for sanctions against Bryan Freedman, a lawyer for the Wayfarer parties, on March 13, 2026. The ruling did not impose a gag order or decide the underlying allegations in the dispute. Liman said Lively had not shown that Freedman’s challenged statements, made eight to eleven months before the then-scheduled trial, were substantially likely to prejudice proceedings. The judge left unresolved whether the statements qualified for a safe harbor under New York’s attorney-conduct rule.
What the judge decided
Lively’s motion sought sanctions under New York Rule of Professional Conduct 3.6 and Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 16(f), according to E-Discovery LLC’s report of the decision. Liman denied it. The report quotes the order: “Accordingly, the motion is DENIED.”
The judge’s stated reason was the lack of a required showing of likely prejudice from the timing and effect of the challenged statements. As quoted in the report, Liman wrote: “Assuming without deciding that Freedman’s statements were not protected by the safe harbor provision in Rule 3.6(d), Plaintiff has not shown that those statements, given when they were made, are substantially likely to prejudice any adjudicative proceedings in this case.”
That qualification matters: the court assumed for purposes of its analysis that the safe harbor might not apply, but did not decide the issue. The ruling therefore is not a finding that the statements violated Rule 3.6, nor a final determination about whether they fell within the rule’s safe harbor.
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Was this a gag-order ruling?
No. “Motion to silence” is headline shorthand, not a precise description of the relief counsel said they wanted. At a February 3, 2025 hearing, Lively and Ryan Reynolds’ lawyer Michael Gottlieb said they were not asking for a gag order against Freedman. He described the request as asking the court to adopt professional-conduct rules governing lawyers’ statements outside court, according to ABC News’ account of the case timeline.
The hearing and the later ruling were separate procedural moments. The 2025 conference addressed proposed rules and publicity; the March 2026 decision denied a sanctions motion based on the later challenged statements. The March decision did not bar Baldoni’s team or its lawyers from speaking.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
How the February 2025 hearing differed from the 2026 decision
| Date | What was discussed | What the judge did or said |
|---|---|---|
| February 3, 2025 | Counsel discussed applying attorney-conduct rules to statements outside court amid concerns about publicity. | ABC News reported that Liman criticized a factual narrative attached to a website and said sanctions were possible in that separate context. He also said a trial date could be moved if media coverage made a fair proceeding untenable. |
| March 13, 2026 | Lively sought sanctions against Freedman under Rule 3.6 and Rule 16(f). | Liman denied the motion, finding the showing of likely prejudice insufficient and leaving the Rule 3.6(d) safe-harbor question undecided. |
ABC News reported Liman’s February 2025 remark about the website attachment: “The law is pretty clear — you can’t just attach a factual narrative.” That hearing comment was not the rationale for the later denial of sanctions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where the motion fits in the wider dispute
The legal conflict followed Lively’s December 2024 complaint concerning alleged conduct during production of It Ends with Us, according to ABC News. Baldoni denied wrongdoing. In January 2025, Baldoni and associated plaintiffs brought claims against Lively, Reynolds, and others. Those claims and denials are party positions, not findings made in the March 2026 sanctions ruling.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
The motion concerned publicity and lawyer conduct, not whether the underlying harassment or retaliation allegations were true. A later federal-court opinion recounts that the Wayfarer action was dismissed in June 2025, with final judgment entered October 31, 2025; it also says the related Lively action settled in May 2026. Those later procedural developments are distinct from Liman’s March ruling.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
