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Blake Lively refuses to back down, rejecting settlement talks mere days before her May trial. Judge dismisses 10 of 13 claims against Justin Baldoni, but the actress vows she’s prepared to fight.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Trial Date: May 18, 2026 in New York federal court
- Claims Remaining: 3 out of 13 allegations move forward, including retaliation
- Latest Development: Both sides rejected settlement talks on April 6, 2026
- Damages Requested: Blake Lively seeks over $160 million from Baldoni
Settlement Talks Collapse After Judge Refuses to Negotiate
Federal Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave ordered both legal teams to share settlement positions on April 6. The calls lasted only moments before both sides walked away. Blake Lively’s lawyers had hoped to find common ground, but negotiations failed completely. This wasn’t the first attempt; settlement efforts have been ongoing since December 2024, when the lawsuit began.
Lively’s team came prepared with a powerful statement reposted earlier that day. The actress demanded fans not be distracted by “the digital soap opera.” Instead, she focused on exposing “the systems and people who seek to harm, shame, silence and retaliate against victims.” Her message was clear: she’s not backing down.
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Blake Lively won’t back down as May trial nears after claims dismissed
Judge Strips Away Most Claims, But Actress Stands Firm
On April 2, 2026, federal judge Lewis J. Liman delivered a devastating ruling to Lively’s case. He dismissed sexual harassment, defamation, and conspiracy allegations in a 152-page decision. The judge determined that Lively wasn’t an employee but rather an independent contractor, which prevented certain employment-related claims from moving forward.
Her legal team, led by attorney Sigrid McCawley, immediately clarified their position. “The sexual harassment claims dismissal was not because the defendants did nothing wrong,” McCawley stated. She emphasized that the case remains focused on what matters most: “the devastating retaliation and the extraordinary steps the defendants took to destroy Blake Lively’s reputation.”
Three Critical Claims Survive to Trial
Despite the setback, retaliation claims against **Wayfarer Studios** remain intact. A breach of contract claim also advances. Most importantly, a Fair Employment and Housing Act retaliation claim has enough evidence to proceed to court. These remaining allegations form the core of what both sides will argue in May.
| Claim Type | Status |
| Sexual Harassment | Dismissed |
| Defamation | Dismissed |
| Retaliation (FEHA) | Moving to Trial |
| Breach of Contract | Moving to Trial |
Judge Liman noted that while contractual claims couldn’t proceed under employment law, they still have merit. The retaliation allegations, in particular, show enough evidence to warrant a full trial. This means Lively’s case isn’t dead; it’s simply narrower and more focused.
“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.”
— Sigrid McCawley, Blake Lively’s Attorney
Both Actors Will Testify as ‘It Ends with Us’ Drama Heads to Court
Both Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni plan to take the stand in May. Her lawyer Mike Gottlieb previously confirmed, “The ultimate moment for a plaintiff’s story to be told is at trial.” Baldoni’s legal team also confirmed he will testify. This means jurors will hear directly from both parties about what allegedly happened on the film’s set.
McCawley said Lively “looks forward to testifying at trial and continuing to shine a light on this vicious form of online retaliation.” Baldoni’s attorneys, Alexandra Shapiro and Jonathan Bach, responded by saying they’re “pleased” with the dismissals. They stated, “What’s left is a significantly narrowed case, and we look forward to presenting our defense to the remaining claims in court.”
Why Is Blake Lively Refusing to Settle Before May Trial?
The simple answer: she believes in her remaining claims. Despite losing 10 out of 13 allegations, Lively has doubled down on the cases that survived. The retaliation claim, in particular, suggests that Baldoni and his team coordinated an online campaign to destroy her reputation after she raised safety concerns on set.
Insiders report that the legal battle has been “emotionally taxing” on the actress. Yet she refuses to settle. By rejecting last-minute negotiations, she’s gambling that a jury will side with her and award the $160 million in damages she’s seeking. The May trial will ultimately determine if her remaining claims hold weight.
Sources
- Deadline Hollywood – Reporting on settlement talks and trial developments
- People Magazine – Comprehensive coverage of remaining claims and court rulings
- NBC News – Judge’s 152-page ruling and actress’s statement
