Federal judge dismisses Justin Baldoni's lawsuit against Blake Lively
Justin Baldoni's legal spat with Blake Lively takes a turn as a federal judge in New York dismisses his controversial lawsuit against the actress and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, on June 10, 2025.
The co-stars have been embroiled in a bitter legal feud since December 2024, with the bombshell escalating into a series of court filings and allegations. Baldoni's $400 million countersuit against Lively and Reynolds, along with his defamation case against The New York Times, were all dismissed by Judge Lewis J. Liman.
In his dismissal, Judge Liman stated that the Times' reporting, while dramatic, was based on available evidence and did not show an obvious motive to favor Lively's version of events.
A Timeline of the "It Ends with Us" Legal Battle
- Dec 20, 2024: Blake Lively files a sexual harassment complaint against Justin Baldoni with the California Civil Rights Department.
- Dec 31, 2024: Baldoni responds with a lawsuit against The New York Times for libel and false light invasion of privacy.
- Jan 2025: Baldoni files a $400 million civil lawsuit against Lively, Reynolds, and their publicists for extortion and defamation.
In response to the dismissal, Blake Lively's lawyers, Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, deemed it a "total victory and complete vindication" for their client. They pledged to seek attorneys' fees, treble damages, and punitive damages against Baldoni and his associates in their ongoing efforts.
"Good Morning America" reached out to Baldoni's lawyers for comment, but there has been no response as of yet.
The Saga Begins
Tensions between Baldoni and Lively reignited when Lively first filed a complaint against Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment on the set of the film, which he also directed. Lively's claim included allegations of a calculated and vitriolic smear campaign, citing text messages between Baldoni's publicist and a crisis PR specialist.
Baldoni, however, has consistently denied all allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation, maintaining a stance of innocence throughout the ordeal.
Lively's lawyers responded to Baldoni's lawsuit, calling it "another chapter in the abuser playbook."
In March 2025, Lively and Reynolds each filed a motion to dismiss Baldoni's complaint against them, initiating yet another round in their ongoing dispute.
The events since have unfolded with a series of dueling campaigns, contested allegations, and dismissed lawsuits, leaving the future of their professional relationship uncertain.
- Amidst the ongoing legal battle between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively, the dismissal of his $400 million countersuit and defamation case against The New York Times has sparked diverse opinions within the realm of pop-culture, with some regarding it as a vindication for Lively and others viewing it as a setback for Baldoni's claims.
- As the immigration of celebrities into the realm of legal disputes continues, with the with the ongoing confrontation between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni serving as a prominent example, the role of entertainment and pop-culture in shaping public opinion becomes increasingly evident.
