Judge dismisses most claims in Blake Lively’s lawsuit against Justin Baldoni

A federal judge has dismissed the majority of Blake Lively’s claims against Justin Baldoni, significantly narrowing the scope of the ongoing legal dispute between the two.

In a ruling delivered on Thursday, Judge Lewis Liman struck out 10 of the 13 claims brought forward by Lively in her lawsuit against Baldoni, her co-star and director in the film It Ends With Us.

Among the claims dismissed were allegations of sexual harassment, conspiracy and defamation. The decision leaves just three claims remaining in the case, which will now proceed to trial. These include breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting in retaliation.

The ruling shifts the focus of the case towards Lively’s accusations that Baldoni was involved in a retaliatory campaign against her. According to her legal team, this campaign involved the spread of negative stories about her online.

Sigrid McCawley, an attorney for Lively, said the case would continue to centre on claims of retaliation and the alleged efforts to damage her client’s reputation. She stated that the trial would examine what she described as coordinated digital attacks following Lively’s actions on set.

McCawley also addressed the dismissal of the sexual harassment claims, explaining that the court’s decision was based on Lively’s status as an independent contractor rather than an employee. She said the claims were not dismissed because of a finding that no wrongdoing had occurred, but because of how the law applies in such circumstances.

Lively’s legal team had previously alleged that Baldoni behaved inappropriately during filming. The claims included accusations that he made unwanted comments about her appearance and weight, and that he engaged in physical behaviour without her consent.

The case has drawn significant attention, partly due to the high-profile nature of those involved and the success of the film at the centre of the dispute. Released in 2024, It Ends With Us achieved global commercial success, earning more than $350m.

However, the film’s release was followed by reports of tension between Lively and Baldoni, which later developed into a legal battle.

The dispute has also brought private communications into the public domain. Unsealed messages revealed exchanges between Lively and other public figures, including Taylor Swift and Ben Affleck. In one message, Lively referred to Baldoni in critical terms while discussing aspects of the film.

Legal proceedings have already seen developments on both sides. In June, Lively withdrew two claims of emotional distress against Baldoni. In the same month, Judge Liman dismissed a $400m defamation claim brought by Baldoni against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds.

The case has continued to evolve, with both parties facing setbacks as the court examines the claims in detail.

With mediation efforts having failed last month, the matter is now set to proceed to trial in May. The narrowed case will focus on the remaining allegations, particularly those related to retaliation.

The ruling marks a significant turning point in the legal battle, reducing the number of claims that will be examined in court and shaping the direction of the upcoming trial.

As proceedings move forward, the case is expected to continue attracting attention due to its high-profile nature and the issues it raises about workplace conduct and legal accountability within the entertainment industry.