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Justin Baldoni’s legal team has reacted to the latest development in Blake Lively’s legal case against her It Ends with Us director-costar
On Thursday, April 2, Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed 10 of Lively’s 13 claims against Baldoni, including those related to harassment
“We’re very pleased the Court dismissed all sexual harassment claims,” said Baldoni’s legal team in a statement shared with PEOPLE
Justin Baldoni is responding to the recent shake-up in his legal battle with Blake Lively.
Judge Lewis J. Liman, a federal judge in the Southern District of New York, ruled on Thursday, April 2, on Baldoni’s bid to end the case involving his It Ends with Us costar, dismissing 10 of her 13 claims against him.
“We’re very pleased the Court dismissed all sexual harassment claims and every claim brought against the individual defendants: Justin Baldoni, Jamey Heath, Steve Sarowitz, Melissa Nathan, and Jennifer Abel,” Alexandra Shapiro and Jonathan Bach of Shapiro Arato Bach said in a statement shared with PEOPLE.
Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively are seen on the set of “It Ends with Us” on January 12, 2024 in Jersey City, N.J.
Credit: Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
“These were very serious allegations, and we are grateful to the Court for its careful review of the facts, law and voluminous evidence that was provided,” the statement concluded. “What’s left is a significantly narrowed case, and we look forward to presenting our defense to the remaining claims in court.”
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Ten of the 13 claims Lively, 38, filed against Baldoni, 42, following their behind-the-scenes conflict on the 2024 Colleen Hoover adaptation It Ends with Us, were thrown out in Judge Liman’s latest decision. These dismissed claims included those related to harassment, defamation and conspiracy. Lively’s breach of contract claim and a FEHA retaliation claim against Baldoni’s company Wayfarer Studios will still move forward to trial.
The two costars’ conflict began in December 2024, when the Gossip Girl actress filed a sexual-harassment complaint against Baldoni, alleging misconduct on the set of the romantic drama and a retaliatory smear campaign.
The director-star, who has denied the allegations, filed counterclaims against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, involving allegations of extortion and defamation that were dismissed by Judge Liman in June 2025; Baldoni’s legal team opted out of refiling amended versions of those claims.
Justin Baldoni and his wife, Emily Baldoni, in February 2026
Credit: XNY/Star Max/GC Images
Sigrid McCawley, a member of Lively’s legal team, also reacted to the April 2 ruling, pointing out in a statement shared with PEOPLE that the actress’ sexual harassment claim against Baldoni “isn’t going forward not because the defendants did nothing wrong but because the court determined Blake Lively was an independent contractor, not an employee.”
Judge Liman’s new ruling follows a Feb. 11 court-mandated settlement conference with Baldoni and Lively, which ended without an agreement. Attorneys for both actors have stated that they plan to testify during the trial scheduled to begin on May 18 in New York.
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