Legal Battle Between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Takes a New Turn
In a major legal update from California, a judge has dismissed actor and filmmaker Justin Baldoni’s lawsuit against actress Blake Lively. The case centered around Lively’s allegations of on-set harassment and retaliation during the filming of a project directed and produced by Baldoni.
Blake Lively had earlier filed a formal complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, accusing both Baldoni and lead producer Jamey Heath of workplace misconduct and launching a retaliatory smear campaign.
Judge Rules Against Baldoni’s Defamation and Extortion Claims
On Monday, U.S. District Judge Liman ruled that Baldoni’s defamation and extortion claims were not sufficiently supported.
- He stated that Lively’s actions amounted to “hard bargaining” over working conditions, not wrongful extortion.
- The judge found that Baldoni’s legal team had not proven Lively made any defamatory statements outside of her official complaint, which is legally protected.
Judge Liman emphasized that the statements made by The New York Times in their original article were also protected under privilege, as they were based on the legal filing. He further stated that The Times did not act with “actual malice” when publishing the article.
“The Times had no obvious motive to favor Lively’s version of events,” the judge wrote in his ruling.
Legal Experts Call It a Victory for Blake Lively
Following the ruling, Lively’s attorneys Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb issued a statement calling the decision:
“A total victory and a complete vindication for Blake Lively, along with those that Justin Baldoni and the Wayfarer parties dragged into their retaliatory lawsuit.”
Wayfarer Studios, co-founded by Baldoni, was also named in the lawsuit.
What’s Next in the Case?
Although the defamation and extortion claims have been dismissed, the legal battle may not be over. Judge Liman granted Baldoni’s legal team the option to amend and refile their remaining claims, specifically:
- Breach of implied covenant
- Tortious interference with a contract
The deadline for refiling is June 23.
Media and Legal Communities React
Representatives for Justin Baldoni and The New York Times have not yet responded to media requests for comments.
Meanwhile, the case has sparked broader discussions in Hollywood around workplace harassment, legal protections, and the limits of defamation lawsuits when public complaints are made.
Final Thoughts
This court ruling could set a precedent for how workplace misconduct complaints are treated when they are followed by lawsuits from the accused. It also highlights the legal protection offered to those who file official complaints and the media reporting on such issues.
As the story develops, all eyes are on whether Baldoni’s team will pursue the case further before the June 23 deadline.
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