Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Legal Battle Predicted to Escalate by Expert
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The ongoing legal feud between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni is anticipated to intensify before any potential resolution, according to legal expert Gregory Doll.
On the matter, Doll, a lawyer and partner at Doll Amir & Eley in Los Angeles, who is not affiliated with either party, shared insights with PEOPLE. He suggested that the conflict is expected to become even more contentious. Doll highlighted that the forthcoming period could be emotionally taxing for both parties, even though they have competent legal representation.
The dispute initially arose when Lively, 37, accused Baldoni, 41, her co-star and director from the 2024 film “It Ends With Us,” of sexually harassing her on set and subsequently attempting to tarnish her public image. Notably, individuals associated with Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer, as well as his publicists, were also implicated in Lively’s allegations.
In response, Baldoni filed a counter lawsuit seeking $400 million against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist. His claim contended that Lively orchestrated a smear campaign against him and conspired to dominate the film’s production and promotion. Additionally, he accused them of extortion and defamation. Moreover, Baldoni pursued a separate $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times for publishing Lively’s initial accusations in a December 21 article.
The legal battle between Lively and Baldoni is currently under the supervision of Judge Lewis Liman from the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. A pre-trial conference has been scheduled for February 12, during which the details of the case will be discussed and delineated.
Following this conference, Judge Liman will issue a scheduling order outlining the timeline for the discovery process and submission of summary motions. Doll anticipates that both parties will focus on gathering evidence and deposing potential witnesses as part of the discovery procedure. He emphasised that uncovering undisclosed details often intensifies emotions and drives the case towards a resolution.
While Doll believes that Lively and Baldoni may aim to settle before a trial, statistics indicate that around 92% of civil cases typically reach a settlement rather than proceeding to court. Doll acknowledged the possibility that this specific case may fall into the remaining 8%, although he viewed it as statistically improbable.
The legal battle between Lively and Baldoni has attracted significant public attention due to its contentious nature and the high stakes involved. As the proceedings unfold, many eyes are eagerly watching to see how the case progresses and whether the two parties can find a resolution outside the courtroom.
In conclusion, the dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni is poised to escalate further as both sides prepare to present their respective cases before the court. With the involvement of seasoned legal experts and a high-profile cast, this legal saga is expected to unfold dramatically in the coming days.
*Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are based on the interpretation of the current legal proceedings and are subject to change as more information becomes available.*