Justin Baldoni’s team claims victory after latest Blake Lively legal ruling
The former co-stars remain divided over the meaning of the latest legal decision following their settlement
Justin Baldoni’s legal team says they have “won” the latest development in his legal battle with Blake Lively, after a judge ruled the actor and filmmaker will not be required to pay damages to the actress.
The dispute between the former It Ends with Us co-stars began in December 2024, when Lively accused Baldoni, who also directed the film, of sexual harassment and alleged that he was involved in a campaign to damage her reputation.
Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, denied the allegations and filed a countersuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of defamation and extortion.
However, Baldoni’s countersuit was later dismissed by a judge, while Lively’s sexual harassment claims were also thrown out in April on jurisdictional grounds.
The two sides eventually reached an out-of-court settlement shortly before the case was expected to go to trial in New York.
Following a court ruling on Friday, June 12, Judge Lewis Liman determined that Lively could seek legal costs from Baldoni but would not be able to pursue damages under a California law designed to protect individuals who report alleged sexual misconduct.
Baldoni’s attorney, Brian Freedman, described the decision as a victory for the actor, saying the legal team had successfully defended him against what he called “a coordinated effort” based on allegations of harassment, retaliation, and a smear campaign.
“We fought and won against a coordinated effort built on allegations of sexual harassment, retaliation and a smear campaign that never happened,” Freedman said in a statement.
He added that Lively had initially sought more than $300 million in damages and fees, but ultimately received only limited attorney fees connected to one claim.
“Throughout this process, innocent people had their reputations unfairly tarnished. There was no sexual harassment. There was no retaliation. There was no smear campaign,” Freedman said.
“The court recognised it, the record reflects it and we have maintained it from the very beginning. We would not hesitate to stand up for the truth again.”
Meanwhile, Lively’s legal team rejected the idea that the ruling represented a win for Baldoni, insisting that the actress remains the “prevailing defendant” under the relevant California law.
Her attorneys, Esra Hudson and Michael Gottlieb, said the ruling confirmed that Lively brought her claims in good faith and that there was no evidence she acted with malice.
“Today’s ruling makes it clear that Ms. Lively brought her claims in good faith, that there was no evidence she acted with malice and that she is the prevailing defendant under Section 47.1,” they said.
The attorneys also argued that the decision preserves Lively’s ability to seek further damages through separate legal procedures, adding that the settlement agreement protected her rights to pursue those claims.
Lively’s team said the actress believes the case highlights the importance of laws that allow alleged survivors of misconduct to challenge retaliation and online attacks.
