Blake Lively, It Ends With Us star, has been dominating headlines and captivating people nationwide for months as the details surrounding the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni drama and legal battle. Here’s a Blake Lively lawsuit update. Last we discussed this case in January, Blake Lively had filed her suit against Justin Baldoni, after which he countersued against Lively and the New York Times, alleging defamation in an attempt to extort her. I strongly recommend reading that article for an overview of the allegations, what this means for the MeToo Movement, the role of intimacy coordinators, cancel culture vs. due process, and more.
As an employment attorney and commentator on employment and sexual harassment cases, I have followed the evolution of the MeToo movement closely. I was also honored to be invited as a guest and commentator on MeritTV to break down recent developments in this ongoing legal battle. Watch it below.
Much has changed and transpired over the last few months, so I am here to provide a recap of developments since we last explored this topic. Here is everything you need to know about what is going on with the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni lawsuit now.
The Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively Lawsuit Update: Where Do Things Stand Now?
So, let’s get into everything you need to know about Blake Lively’s accusations to paint a clearer picture of where we stand with this lawsuit. To begin, let’s address the most basic question: What is the Blake Lively lawsuit about? Here’s what to know.
Why Is Blake Lively Suing Justin Baldoni?
Blake Lively is suing Justin Baldoni for alleged sexual harassment on set in the making of the Netflix movie “It Ends With Us.” Her allegations also encompass what has been referred to as a “Blake Lively smear campaign,” which Lively claims Baldoni orchestrated as a form of retaliation.
In the Blake Lively sexual harassment lawsuit, Lively alleges that Baldoni engaged in sexual harassment and created a hostile work environment toward her, including boundary violations, improvising kissing scenes without consent, and making suggestive comments.
The lawsuit also accuses Baldoni and his team of orchestrating a campaign to tarnish Lively’s public image after she reported the alleged misconduct, which included hiring a crisis PR company to “bury” her and publishing false allegations against her.
Other important developments that have occurred over the last few months include:
- Blake Lively filing subpoenas for Justin Baldoni’s phone records
- Justin Baldoni sharing a raw ‘It Ends With Us’ scene with Blake Lively
- Justin Baldoni countersuing against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds for $400M
- Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds responding to Justin Baldoni’s lawsuit
What Happened with Justin Baldoni’s Lawsuit Against Blake Lively?
In a move that made headlines, Justin Baldoni filed a counter lawsuit against Blake Lively, her husband, Ryan Reynolds, and her publicist alleging “extortion and defamation.” However, recently, a Federal Judge in New York dismissed Baldoni’s $400M counter lawsuit against Lively in a 132-page opinion.
When dismissing the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni defamation lawsuit, the Judge stated that Blake Lively did not make any defamatory statements other than those in her Civil Rights Department complaint. The Judge issued an order dismissing both Baldoni’s lawsuits against Blake Lively and the New York Times, stating that there is not sufficient evidence for Mr. Baldoni to continue his suits against Blake Lively or the New York Times.
It’s important to understand that it is incredibly common in a civil lawsuit for either side to seek a motion to dismiss, asking the Judge to review the evidence in the case thus far, and to decide if there is enough evidence to go forward.
So, in this instance, the judge determined there was not enough evidence for Baldoni to continue his suit against Lively. Justin Baldoni, in response, has shown no signs of retreat and released a statement saying, “Ms. Lively’s own claims are no truer today than they were yesterday, and with the facts on our side, we march forward with the same confidence we had when Ms. Lively and her cohorts initiated this battle.”
The Judge has also ruled that Baldoni can file an amended complaint against Lively to try to appeal.
What Is Next for the Blake Lively Lawsuit Against Co-Star Justin Baldoni?
Given the contentious nature of this suit, it is fair to predict that Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s legal battle is going to intensify in the coming months, meaning there is a high chance that I will be right back delivering another breaking Blake Lively lawsuit update!
As of now, you can expect Baldoni to either file an amended complaint or appeal the decision of the Judge with respect to the dismissal. Regardless of the outcome, it is clear that the Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively drama is far, far from over.
Related Appearance: Smokey Robinson Sexual Assault New Lawsuit – Insights from Angela Reddock-Wright @ Extra TV
Do You Need an Employment Law Commentator to Provide Keen Insights and a Blake Lively Lawsuit Update? Book Me Today!
Blake Lively’s legal battle with Justin Baldoni is far from settled, with a March 9th, 2026 trial date looming on the horizon and many signs even indicating it is still heating up. One thing is clear – in the future, it is not out of the realm of possibility that we will be waking up to headlines saying that Blake Lively faces a new lawsuit in her ongoing battle with Justin Baldoni or vice versa. No matter what happens, this case has captured the attention of the nation and serves as an excellent case study of hostile work environments, specifically sexual harassment in the workplace, no matter how unconventional.
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This communication is not legal advice. It is educational only. For legal advice, consult with an experienced employment law attorney in your state or city.