Blake Lively Faces Setback as Key Claims Weaken in Case Against Justin Baldoni
A federal judge has dismissed most of Blake Lively’s lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, throwing out 10 of her 13 claims — including the central allegation of sexual harassment — while allowing her retaliation claims to proceed to trial on May 18.
US District Judge Lewis Liman issued the ruling on Thursday, significantly narrowing a case that has been playing out publicly and in court for over a year.
The remaining claims focus on alleged breach of contract, retaliation by Baldoni’s production company Wayfarer Studios, and claims that a public relations firm assisted in that retaliation.
The judge dismissed the sexual harassment claim on legal grounds, stating it lacked sufficient connection to California law and that Lively did not qualify under federal civil rights protections because she was working as an independent contractor, not an employee.
“Ultimately, Lively fails to confront what is the central dilemma in her claim,” Liman wrote.
However, the court acknowledged concerns about events following the allegations. The judge noted that some actions “arguably crossed the line,” emphasizing that defending against accusations can shift into retaliation if taken too far.
He added that there is “some direct evidence” suggesting an effort to damage Lively’s career may have been put into motion.
Issues heading to trial include PR messaging portraying Lively as having a long-standing negative reputation and claims that production staff lost jobs due to her alleged actions.
Court documents also referenced statements from PR consultant Melissa Nathan and Steve Sarowitz, including controversial remarks about handling the situation and Lively’s public image.
Lively’s lawyer Sigrid McCawley said the case remains focused on alleged retaliation and efforts to damage the actress’s reputation after she raised safety concerns on set.
Meanwhile, Baldoni’s legal team emphasized that the ruling significantly reduced the scope of the case, noting that all claims against him personally — as well as against Sarowitz and Nathan — were dismissed.
The dispute has been intense on both sides. Baldoni previously filed a countersuit in 2025 accusing Lively of extortion, defamation, and invasion of privacy, but it was dismissed after a missed filing deadline.
The controversy also drew in The New York Times and other individuals connected to the project, including Isabela Ferrer and Jenny Slate, whose messages and claims surfaced in court filings.
Author Colleen Hoover, whose novel inspired the film, described the situation as overwhelming, saying it “feels like a circus” and has left those involved emotionally shaken.
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