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Blake Lively isn’t backing down in her legal battle against Justin Baldoni. The It Ends With Us actress has fired back at Baldoni’s massive $400 million lawsuit, calling it a “vengeful” and baseless attempt to misuse the legal system. In response, Lively has now filed a motion to have the case dismissed entirely.
According to court documents filed on Thursday in the Southern District of New York, Lively argued that Baldoni’s lawsuit is nothing more than an attempt to punish her for speaking out about workplace harassment. As reported by Page Six, she made it clear that laws exist to protect individuals from being silenced through defamation lawsuits—especially when they’re speaking up about harassment or retaliation.
Lively insists that Baldoni’s claims hold no legal weight and that her statements are fully protected under California law. She further criticized both Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios for seeking an astronomical amount in damages without actually explaining how they arrived at that number—or specifying any real harm caused.
What’s This Lawsuit Even About?
Baldoni launched the legal action in January, naming Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and publicist Leslie Sloane as defendants. His lawsuit accuses them of defamation and extortion, arguing that Lively’s allegations have severely damaged his career and reputation.
However, Lively had already taken legal action against Baldoni before he sued her. Back in December 2024, she filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, accusing him of inappropriate behavior on set. Among her claims, she alleged that Baldoni:
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Made inappropriate sexual comments
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Walked into her trailer while she was breastfeeding
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Created a hostile work environment for multiple women
Lively’s Legal Team Hits Back
Lively’s attorneys, Mike Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, aren’t mincing words. They told Page Six that California law explicitly protects victims who choose to speak out about harassment, whether in court or the press. They also pointed out that Baldoni’s lawsuit faces serious legal roadblocks, including the litigation privilege, fair report privilege, and sexual harassment privilege.
On top of that, California law has a mandatory fee-shifting rule—meaning that if Baldoni’s claims are ruled as frivolous, he and his billionaire backers, like Steve Sarowitz and Wayfarer Studios, may end up having to pay Lively’s legal fees.
Lively’s Fight Goes Beyond Just Her
Lively’s spokesperson emphasized that this fight isn’t just about her—it’s about protecting others who come forward with similar experiences. Meanwhile, her husband Ryan Reynolds has also filed a motion to have the case thrown out, further showing that Team Lively isn’t backing down anytime soon.
As the legal battle heats up, one thing is clear: Blake Lively is standing her ground, and she’s not afraid to take the fight all the way.