Judge Dismisses Majority of Blake Lively’s Claims, Justin Baldoni Responds

Baldoni’s legal team issued a statement Thursday following the ruling by Judge Lewis Liman, expressing satisfaction with the outcome.

“We’re very pleased the Court dismissed all sexual harassment claims and every claim brought against the individual defendants: Justin Baldoni, Jamey Heath, Steve Sarowitz, Melissa Nathan, and Jennifer Abel,” Baldoni’s attorneys told Page Six.

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“These were very serious allegations, and we are grateful to the Court for its careful review of the facts, law and voluminous evidence that was provided.”

The judge dismissed 10 of the 13 claims Lively had filed against Baldoni. According to Baldoni’s attorneys, the ruling leaves “a significantly narrowed case” moving forward.

“We look forward to presenting our defense to the remaining claims in court,” the lawyers added.

Court documents obtained by Page Six indicate that Lively’s claims of defamation and conspiracy were among those dismissed. The remaining allegations set to proceed to trial include breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting in retaliation. The case is scheduled for trial on May 18.

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Lively’s attorney also responded to the ruling, offering a different interpretation of the dismissal. In a statement to Page Six, the attorney said the sexual harassment claim was dismissed “not because the defendants did nothing wrong but because the court determined Blake Lively was an independent contractor, not an employee.”

“This case has always been and will remain focused on the devastating retaliation and the extraordinary steps the defendants took to destroy Blake Lively’s reputation because she stood up for safety on the set, and that is the case that is going to trial,” the statement read.

“For Blake Lively, the greatest measure of justice is that the people and the playbook behind these coordinated digital attacks have been exposed and are already being held accountable by other women they’ve targeted,” the attorney continued.

The attorney added that Lively “looks forward to testifying at trial and continuing to shine a light on this vicious form of online retaliation so that it becomes easier to detect and fight.”

The dispute between Lively and Baldoni began in December 2025, when the actress accused Baldoni of sexual harassment during their work on the film “It Ends With Us.”

Lively filed a lawsuit in December 2024, alleging she suffered approximately $161 million in damages tied to what she described as a smear campaign coinciding with the film’s release in August of that year.

Baldoni denied the allegations and filed a countersuit in January 2025 against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, seeking $400 million in damages. That countersuit was later dismissed.

The legal battle has drawn attention beyond the two actors, with additional figures referenced in unsealed court documents, including Taylor Swift.

Lively and Baldoni last appeared together during a settlement conference in New York City on February 11. According to reports, the meeting did not result in a resolution.

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