Blake Lively Seeks Dismissal of Justin Baldoni’s Defamation Suit, Accuses Him of PR Stunt

The legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has intensified, with Lively filing a motion to dismiss Baldoni’s defamation and civil extortion lawsuit against her. Lively’s legal team is fiercely contesting Baldoni’s claims, asserting that the lawsuit is a strategic maneuver orchestrated to damage Lively’s reputation in the wake of her accusations of sexual harassment on the set of their film, "It Ends With Us."

According to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital, Lively’s lawyers characterize Baldoni’s lawsuit as a "blunt public relations instrument" intended to bolster what they describe as a "sinister campaign" to discredit Lively. The legal team further argues that Baldoni’s legal action is a retaliatory measure prompted by Lively’s allegations of sexual harassment during the film’s production.

Lively’s legal representatives, Mike Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, released a scathing statement denouncing Baldoni’s lawsuit as a "profound abuse of the legal process" that has no place within the federal court system. They emphasize that California law explicitly prohibits suing individuals who publicly denounce sexual harassment or retaliation, whether through legal action or media statements.

The statement further contends that Baldoni’s lawsuit faces significant legal obstacles, including protections related to litigation, fair reporting, and sexual harassment. Notably, the lawyers point to the inclusion of a "mandatory fee shifting provision" within the sexual harassment privilege, which could compel Baldoni, as well as supporting entities such as billionaire Steve Sarowitz and Wayfarer Studios, to cover Lively’s legal fees and damages should the defamation claims be deemed frivolous.

Lively’s legal team emphasizes that Baldoni’s attempt to silence her has inadvertently exposed him and his supporters to greater legal liability. "In an epic self-own, the Wayfarer Parties’ attempt to sue Ms. Lively ‘into oblivion’ has only created more liability for them, and deservedly so, given what they have done," the statement asserts.

The legal feud between Lively and Baldoni began to escalate in December when Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, subsequently moving the case to federal court. In her complaint, Lively detailed allegations of sexual harassment, retaliation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligence against Baldoni and film producer Jamey Heath.

Baldoni retaliated in January with his own lawsuit, accusing Lively of making "false" accusations to salvage her reputation following the negative publicity surrounding the "It Ends With Us" press tour. Baldoni’s legal team argues that Lively lacked evidence to support her claims of a deliberate smear campaign and instead resorted to accusing him and others of sexual harassment to repair her public image.

In February, Lively amended her complaint, asserting that two female cast members were prepared to testify about Baldoni’s "unwelcome behavior" on set. However, Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, dismissed the amended lawsuit as "unsubstantial hearsay."

Now, Lively’s legal team is seeking the dismissal of Baldoni’s lawsuit, arguing that it lacks a valid legal basis. According to court documents, "nothing in the [first amended complaint] resembles an actionable legal claim. It is, instead, a blunt public relations instrument designed to further the Wayfarer Parties’ sinister campaign to ‘bury’ and ‘destroy’ Ms. Lively for speaking out about sexual harassment and retaliation."

Lively’s legal team is requesting that the court dismiss Baldoni’s lawsuit and initiate proceedings to determine the appropriate amount of attorney’s fees, treble damages, and punitive damages to be awarded to Lively.

Both Lively and Baldoni have indicated that they are unwilling to settle the case outside of court. In a joint letter filed in court in February, their legal teams informed Judge Lewis Liman that settlement discussions would be "premature." The letter also stated that the parties agreed that mediation and specific discovery protocols were "inappropriate" for the case. Judge Liman concurred, and the trial is currently scheduled to commence in 2026.

The unfolding legal saga between Lively and Baldoni has garnered significant attention, drawing scrutiny to the dynamics on the set of "It Ends With Us" and raising broader questions about accountability and the legal recourse available to individuals who speak out against sexual harassment. The legal battle promises to be a protracted and contentious affair, with potentially far-reaching implications for the film industry and beyond. The case highlights the complexities of navigating allegations of misconduct in the workplace and the challenges of balancing individual rights with the protection of reputations. As the legal proceedings continue, the public will be closely watching to see how the courts address these sensitive and consequential issues.