Judge Dismisses Most of Blake Lively's Claims Against Justin Baldoni

Lawsuit over It Ends With Us production narrows to three remaining allegations

Apr. 4, 2026 at 3:22am

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An extreme close-up of shattered glass and glittering shards, conceptually representing the fractured relationship between the two co-stars involved in a high-profile legal dispute.The legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has exposed the darker side of Hollywood's glamorous facade.NYC Today

A federal judge has dismissed the majority of the claims in a sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit filed by actress Blake Lively against her It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni. The dismissed claims include allegations of sexual harassment, defamation, and conspiracy, but the court allowed three specific claims to proceed to a civil trial: breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting in retaliation.

Why it matters

This high-profile case has shed light on the complex power dynamics and allegations of misconduct that can arise during film productions, especially when involving lead actors and directors. The judge's ruling narrows the focus to the retaliation claims, which Lively's legal team says will highlight the 'devastating' steps taken to damage her reputation.

The details

In a 152-page ruling, U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman determined that Lively could not pursue the sexual harassment claims under federal civil rights law, as he ruled she was an independent contractor rather than an employee. The remaining portion of the lawsuit focuses on allegations that Baldoni and his production company orchestrated a punitive smear campaign against Lively after she raised concerns about the work environment on the set.

  • The legal conflict stems from the production of the 2024 film It Ends With Us.
  • The lawsuit was filed by Lively in 2025.
  • In 2025, a judge dismissed a $400 million counter-lawsuit filed by Baldoni against Lively.
  • The judge's ruling dismissing most of Lively's claims was issued on April 2, 2026.
  • The civil trial for the remaining claims is scheduled to begin on May 18, 2026 in New York.

The players

Blake Lively

An actress who starred in the 2024 film It Ends With Us and filed a sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit against her co-star and director Justin Baldoni.

Justin Baldoni

An actor and director who worked with Blake Lively on the 2024 film It Ends With Us and was named in Lively's lawsuit.

Wayfarer Studios

The production company co-founded by Justin Baldoni that was also named in Lively's lawsuit.

Judge Lewis Liman

The U.S. District Judge who issued the 152-page ruling dismissing the majority of the claims in Lively's lawsuit.

Sigrid McCawley

A member of Blake Lively's legal team who stated that the sexual harassment claims were dropped due to a technicality rather than a lack of wrongdoing by the defendants.

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What they’re saying

“This case has always been and will remain focused on the devastating retaliation and the extraordinary steps the defendants took to destroy Blake Lively's reputation because she stood up for safety on the set and that is the case that is going to trial.”

— Sigrid McCawley, Attorney for Blake Lively

“The dismissed claims include allegations of sexual harassment, defamation, and conspiracy.”

— Sigrid McCawley, Attorney for Blake Lively

What’s next

The civil trial for the remaining claims of breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting in retaliation is scheduled to begin in New York on May 18, 2026.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex power dynamics and allegations of misconduct that can arise during high-profile film productions, as well as the challenges in navigating sexual harassment claims involving independent contractors versus employees.