Blake Lively’s Lawyers Strike Back with Ferocity Against Justin Baldoni’s Team After Shocking Court Ruling!
A day after a federal judge dismissed most of Blake Lively’s lawsuit against director Justin Baldoni, her legal team has fired back, criticizing Baldoni’s camp for celebrating what they deem a hollow legal victory. U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman removed ten out of the thirteen claims in Lively’s lawsuit, leaving three-retaliation, aiding and abetting retaliation, and breach of contract-set to proceed to trial. Notably, Baldoni is not a defendant in the remaining claims.
Baldoni’s lead attorney, Bryan Freedman, characterized the ruling as a significant win for his client. However, Lively’s representatives were quick to dispute this narrative. Michael Gottlieb, one of Lively’s lawyers, expressed disdain for Freedman’s assertions, pointing out, “He had to bring in another law firm for the trial and was recently reprimanded by the court for filing legally frivolous claims.”
Gottlieb asserted that the judge’s ruling highlighted the core of the case: Lively spoke out against alleged sexual harassment on set and faced retaliation that damaged her reputation. He emphasized that the case’s heart lies in these claims, the very reason for Lively’s lawsuit. The dismissal of the harassment claims, he explained, was rooted in legal technicalities rather than a validation of the defendants’ conduct.
As Lively’s lawyer Sigrid McCawley confirmed, the harassment claims were tossed out not due to any wrongdoing on the defendants’ part but because the court ruled that Lively was an independent contractor rather than an employee. This finding, coupled with the geographic technicality-that the alleged misconduct occurred in New Jersey rather than California-has driven the legal outcomes.
Freedman responded to the criticisms, stating that from the outset of the case, Baldoni and other defendants had been blindsided by Lively’s allegations. He noted that his legal team had worked tirelessly, providing transparency by releasing relevant documents and text messages.
The legal dispute began in December 2024 when Lively filed a harassment complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, followed by a federal lawsuit on New Year’s Eve. She accused Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, of initiating a smear campaign after she raised concerns about a toxic work environment on the set of their film “It Ends With Us,” claiming this campaign cost her around $161 million.
In response, Baldoni filed a $400 million countersuit against Lively and others, alleging extortion and defamation, which a federal judge later dismissed. Settlement discussions broke down in February, with Freedman stating attempts were “unsuccessful.”
The remaining claims are scheduled for trial on May 18, 2026, in the Southern District of New York. McCawley expressed Lively’s eagerness to testify and emphasize the plight of victims facing online retaliation. Despite the significant reduction of the case, the defense maintains that there was no wrongdoing. Baldoni’s legal team, consisting of Alexandra Shapiro and Jonathan Bach, expressed confidence in presenting their case.
The unfolding legal saga, involving high-profile figures like Taylor Swift and a former CIA official, shows no signs of abating as both sides prepare for an intense courtroom showdown.
Original Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/us-news/blake-lively-s-lawyers-hit-back-at-justin-baldoni-s-team-after-latest-court-ruling-11775239215817.html
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Publish Date: 2026-04-04 00:34:00
