Blake Lively's Retaliation Case Against Justin Baldoni Heads to Trial

Judge dismisses harassment claims but allows retaliation case to proceed in high-profile Hollywood legal battle.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 8:53pm

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An abstract close-up photograph of shattered glass and glittering shards in high-contrast studio lighting, conveying the fractured nature of the legal dispute between the two celebrities.The contentious legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni over harassment allegations has been narrowed, but the fallout continues to reverberate through Hollywood.NYC Today

A federal judge in New York has dismissed actress Blake Lively's sexual harassment claims against actor and director Justin Baldoni, but is allowing her retaliation claim to move forward to trial. The judge determined that while some of Baldoni's crisis communication efforts were acceptable, others may have crossed the line into retaliation after Lively made complaints about harassment on the set of their 2024 movie 'It Ends With Us'.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenges in Hollywood around allegations of misconduct and the fine line between defending oneself and retaliating against an accuser. The outcome could set important precedents around the rights of both accusers and the accused in high-profile entertainment industry disputes.

The details

Judge Lewis J. Liman of Federal District Court in Manhattan dismissed Lively's sexual harassment claims, ruling they did not meet key legal requirements. However, the judge found that some of Lively's accusations - including Baldoni commenting in front of crew that she had never watched pornography - were sufficient to provide a foundation for the retaliation claim. The judge determined that while some of Baldoni's crisis communication efforts were acceptable, others may have crossed the line into retaliation after Lively made complaints.

  • The alleged harassment incidents occurred on the set of the 2024 movie 'It Ends With Us'.
  • Lively filed the lawsuit against Baldoni in 2025.
  • The judge issued his 152-page ruling dismissing the harassment claims but allowing the retaliation case to proceed on April 2, 2026.

The players

Blake Lively

An American actress who has starred in numerous films and television shows, including 'Gossip Girl' and 'The Age of Adaline'.

Justin Baldoni

An American actor, director, and producer who co-starred opposite Lively in the 2024 movie 'It Ends With Us' and is accused of retaliating against her after she made harassment complaints.

Judge Lewis J. Liman

The federal judge presiding over the case in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

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What they’re saying

“There are limits to the response that the accused can make in response to claims of harassment. There comes a point where the accused stops simply defending him or herself and starts taking action that a reasonable jury could view as retaliation for the fact that the accuser had the temerity to make the accusations.”

— Judge Lewis J. Liman, U.S. District Court Judge

What’s next

The case will now proceed to trial on Lively's retaliation claim against Baldoni and his company.

The takeaway

This high-profile case highlights the ongoing challenges in Hollywood around balancing the rights of accusers and the accused, and the fine line between defending oneself and retaliating against someone who has made misconduct allegations. The outcome could set important precedents in this area.