Blake Lively’s Lawsuit Against Justin Baldoni’s Social Media Expert Jed Wallace Dismissed by Judge

Blake Lively’s Lawsuit Against Justin Baldoni’s Social Media Expert Dismissed

In recent news, actress Blake Lively’s lawsuit against Texas-based publicist and social media specialist Jed Wallace has been dismissed by a judge on jurisdictional grounds. Lively had filed a civil rights complaint against Wallace, who operates crisis-management firm Street Relations, Inc., in December, alleging that Wallace was hired by Justin Baldoni’s PR team to assist in an alleged smear campaign against her.

Lively claimed that Wallace was involved in orchestrating a character assassination effort leading up to the release of a film called “It Ends With Us,” in which she and Baldoni starred. However, Judge Lewis Liman ruled that Lively had failed to establish New York as the appropriate venue for suing Wallace. The judge granted Wallace’s motion to dismiss without prejudice, allowing Lively until July 31 to file an amended complaint or sue Wallace in a different jurisdiction.

According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, Lively alleged that Wallace, along with Baldoni and publicists Melissa Nathan and Jen Abel, worked together to create and promote content that appeared authentic on social media platforms and internet chat forums. The judge’s ruling highlighted that the negative publicity campaign against Lively largely took place outside of New York, and there was insufficient evidence to establish personal jurisdiction over Wallace in the state.

Wallace’s attorney, Chip Babcock, expressed gratitude for the court’s decision and hoped that Lively would not choose to refile against his client. Lively’s legal team, in response to the dismissal, stated that while they respected the court’s decision on jurisdictional grounds, they were exploring options to hold Wallace accountable for his alleged role in the supposed smear campaign.

The dismissal of the lawsuit comes amidst a legal battle involving Lively, Baldoni, and their respective claims. Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation, while Baldoni countered with extortion and defamation allegations against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds. Judge Liman dismissed Baldoni’s counterclaims, setting the stage for a trial scheduled for March 2026 in New York, where both parties are expected to testify.

Lively’s deposition, originally scheduled to take place soon after the lawsuit dismissal, has been surrounded by a protective order granted to the actress. The ongoing legal saga between Lively and Baldoni continues to unfold as they navigate through the complexities of their allegations and claims.

In a nutshell, the recent dismissal of Blake Lively’s lawsuit against Jed Wallace sheds light on the legal intricacies surrounding allegations of a smear campaign orchestrated by Baldoni’s team. As the legal drama unfolds, all eyes are on the upcoming trial in 2026, where further revelations and testimonies are anticipated. Stay tuned for more updates on this captivating legal saga.