Blake lively and Justin Baldoni’s sexual harassment and defamation trial is set for March 2026.

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s much-anticipated trial has been officially scheduled. On Monday, Judge Lewis J. Liman confirmed that the legal battle in Lively v. Wayfarer Studios will begin on March 9, 2026. The trial will unfold in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, with both parties gearing up for a protracted courtroom drama.

Before the trial, a pretrial hearing will take place on February 3, moving up from its previously scheduled February 12 date. During this conference, Judge Liman will oversee discussions about witness depositions and the timeline for the trial. Legal experts have speculated that the case may settle before the trial, though the likelihood of a televised event remains low due to the federal court setting, which bans cameras in the courtroom.

The legal clash between Lively and Baldoni revolves around two lawsuits. Lively’s sexual harassment lawsuit accuses Baldoni of orchestrating a smear campaign against her with the help of his publicist Jennifer Abel and crisis management expert Melissa Nathan. Lively has also named It Ends With Us producer Jamey Heath in her complaint. In retaliation, Baldoni is countering with defamation and extortion claims against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist Leslie Sloane.

Legal expert Gregory Doll, who is not representing either party, highlighted the strong possibility of a pretrial settlement. “Ninety-two percent of all civil cases settle, so odds are overwhelmingly that the case will settle,” Doll told People Magazine, citing the rarity of high-profile cases like the 2022 Depp-Heard trial that actually go to court.

Despite the intensity of the allegations, Doll expressed doubts that the case would be televised. “By filing in federal court, they foreclosed the possibility that there will be any cameras in the proceedings,” he said. The legal battle promises to be a lengthy one, but with settlement discussions underway, it may yet resolve before it reaches the courtroom.

As the trial date draws closer, more details will likely emerge during the February 3 pretrial hearing, which could offer new insights into the scope of the trial and what each side plans to present.