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Blake Lively faced a major legal setback Thursday. A federal judge tossed out 10 of her 13 claims against Justin Baldoni in a 152-page ruling. But she vows to keep fighting, with trial starting May 18. Here’s what happened and what comes next.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Judge Lewis Liman dismissed sexual harassment claims because Lively was an independent contractor, not an employee
- 10 of 13 claims dropped, including harassment, defamation, and conspiracy allegations
- 3 claims survive for trial, retaliation and breach of contract remain intact
- Trial set for May 18 in Manhattan federal court with jury selection underway
The Judge’s Decision Explained
Judge Lewis J. Liman ruled that most of Blake Lively’s claims fell outside federal civil rights law. The critical issue was her employment status. Lively was an independent contractor, not a full employee, so Title VII employment protections did not apply.
However, Liman acknowledged the alleged behavior was serious. He noted that Baldoni allegedly leaned in for an unwanted kiss, kissed her forehead, rubbed his face against her neck, and touched her inappropriately during filming. Despite this, Liman ruled the conduct occurred during scripted scenes and related to Baldoni’s acting choices, not personal harassment.
CBS News reports judge dismisses Blake Lively’s sexual harassment claims
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What Lively’s Legal Team Says
Lively’s attorney Mike Gottlieb disagreed with the judge’s dismissal logic. He argued the court actually confirmed Lively provided evidence to go to trial on her core retaliation claims. Gottlieb emphasized that Lively spoke up privately about on-set behavior, and Baldoni’s team retaliated by damaging her reputation and career.
The retaliation claim is the real heart of her case, attorneys say. Lively alleged that Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios orchestrated coordinated digital attacks against her after she complained about misconduct. This claim survived and now goes to a jury.
What Happens at Trial in May
| Claim | Status |
| Sexual Harassment | Dismissed |
| Retaliation | Going to Jury |
| Breach of Contract | Going to Jury |
| Aiding and Abetting Retaliation | Going to Jury |
The jury will hear evidence about Baldoni’s on-set conduct through the lens of retaliation claims. Lively must prove she complained about harassment, and that Baldoni’s team harmed her reputation in response. Legal experts say the remaining claims are still robust and could result in significant damages.
“The last thing I wanted in my life was a lawsuit, but I brought this case because of the pervasive RETALIATION I faced, and continue to, for privately and professionally asking for a safe working environment for myself and others.”
— Blake Lively, statement posted Friday
Blake Lively’s Next Moves
Lively publicly vowed Friday to keep fighting. She posted a detailed statement on Instagram Stories thanking the court and encouraging other victims of retaliation to speak up. She acknowledged that the page ruling represents a setback but said the jury will now hear her real story.
Lively emphasized that digital attacks and online retaliation are forms of abuse affecting communities, schools, and workplaces everywhere. She called for greater awareness of coordinated harassment campaigns, which she alleges Baldoni’s team orchestrated against her.
Will This Case Go Viral at Trial?
The May 18 trial date arrives just months away, and jury selection is already underway. Legal analysts expect significant media attention given the celebrity profiles and workplace misconduct allegations. Baldoni’s defense team argued they were pleased the sexual harassment claims were dismissed, calling it a major victory in their favor.
However, retaliation and breach of contract cases can be equally explosive in court. If Lively’s legal team presents evidence of coordinated attacks on her reputation, the jury may view the case sympathetically. The trial could reshape conversations about workplace safety in film and television.
Sources
- CBS News – Federal judge dismisses Blake Lively’s sexual harassment claims against Justin Baldoni
- NBC News – Blake Lively vows to keep fighting after judge dismisses most claims in Justin Baldoni lawsuit
- BBC – Judge dismisses most of Blake Lively’s claims in harassment lawsuit against Baldoni
