In a significant development ahead of the forthcoming trial scheduled for May 18, a federal judge has dismissed ten of the thirteen claims filed by Blake Lively against her It Ends with Us co-star, Justin Baldoni. The ruling, delivered by Judge Lewis J. Liman, means that the only remaining claims relate to breach of contract and retaliation, while the allegations of sexual harassment will not proceed to trial.
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Lively’s legal team, led by attorney Michael Gottlieb, expressed disappointment over the dismissal of the harassment claims, citing them as central to her lawsuit. According to Gottlieb, the legal decisions made by the court were based more on technicalities than on any affirmation of Baldoni’s conduct. He remarked that the dismissal was due to reasons such as Lively not having signed a contract and the alleged misconduct occurring in New Jersey rather than California where she sought legal recourse.
In December 2024, Lively, 38, initially accused Baldoni, 42, of sexual harassment, alleging misconduct on the set of the Colleen Hoover adaptation, as well as claiming that he led a retaliatory smear campaign against her. Baldoni has consistently denied the accusations, and his team has stated that they were surprised by the allegations made against him.
Following the court’s decision, Baldoni’s attorneys, Alexandra Shapiro and Jonathan Bach, issued a statement praising the dismissal of most claims, emphasising that their remaining focus would be on a significantly narrowed case. Bryan Freedman, representing Baldoni, further insisted that neither he nor his co-defendants had engaged in any form of sexual harassment against Lively.
In response to Baldoni’s legal team, Gottlieb stated that the defence’s claims of exoneration through legal technicalities do not reflect the true nature of the case. He asserted that Lively’s substantial evidence would be presented at trial to support her core claims of sexual harassment and subsequent retaliation. Gottlieb also referenced courtroom reprimands aimed at Baldoni’s legal counsel for filing claims deemed legally frivolous.
The case, Lively v. Wayfarer Studios et al., has had its share of complexities. In a previous ruling, Judge Liman had dismissed Baldoni’s counterclaims against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, related to extortion and defamation. However, Lively’s case for breach of contract and a Fair Employment and Housing Act retaliation claim against Baldoni’s production company is now set to continue.
Sigrid McCawley, part of Lively’s legal representation, stated that the core of the case revolves around the detrimental retaliation Lively faced after raising concerns about safety on set. She reaffirmed that these were critical elements that would be highlighted in the upcoming trial.
Both parties have indicated that they plan to testify during the trial. The legal proceedings have drawn significant attention due to the serious nature of the allegations and the public profiles of the individuals involved. The outcome of this case may have broader implications for conversations surrounding workplace safety and the treatment of individuals who raise concerns in the film industry.
As the trial date approaches, both Lively and Baldoni’s teams are poised for what has the potential to be a contentious and closely watched legal battle as they present their respective cases to the court.