Baldoni-Lively Judge Tells Lawyers to Watch Their Words, Avoid Tainting Jury

11:10 AM PT — Blake Lively‘s attorneys Michael Gottlieb and Esra Hudson tell TMZ … “We are pleased with the result of today’s hearing and eager to move forward immediately with discovery in this case. The Court granted our request that all attorneys in the matter actually follow the rule of law and not make any statements that could prejudice a jury. This case deals with serious allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation. We will hold the defendants accountable, and we are confident that once all the evidence is submitted in this matter, Ms. Lively will prevail.”

The judge required both sides to abide by New York Rules of Professional Conduct, which prevents lawyers from making statements with a “substantial likelihood” they could taint a jury. Still, the rules afford attorneys the opportunity to speak with the media to protect their clients from negative publicity.

Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman says he’s cool with those rules, and for now, so are Blake’s attorneys.

Justin Baldoni just scored what he sees as a legal win over Blake Lively … because the first court hearing in their beef ended with half a gag order for Justin’s lawyer.

The “It Ends With Us” stars had their legal teams go before a judge Monday in New York for the first time since Blake filed her $250 million sexual harassment lawsuit against Justin, who fired back with his own $400 million defamation suit.

Blake’s been trying to get Justin’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, to stop blabbing about the case in the media.

Monday’s fiery hearing featured Blake’s lawyers attacking Freedman, claiming he’s being way too chatty about the case in public, giving them little wiggle room to respond in the court of public opinion.

Blake’s lawyers also complained about Justin’s new website dedicated to the case … telling the judge they think it’s “improper.”

Freedman defended his conduct, saying Blake’s team is doing the same thing … citing the New York Times article where Blake first made her sexual harassment claims against Justin. He says the paper only gave Justin 12 hours of notice of their hit piece and says Blake’s team was behind the story … though the judge says there’s no evidence that’s true.

The judge dealt another blow to Blake when he told her lawyers she doesn’t get to choose who deposes her. As we first reported, Freedman claims Lively and her legal team don’t want him to take her deposition.