Blake Lively has formally requested that a judge dismiss Justin Baldoni’s $400 million lawsuit against her, arguing that he is using the defamation claim as a tool to punish her for publicly speaking out about sexual harassment allegations against him.
In legal documents filed on Thursday, Lively accused Baldoni of “weaponizing” the lawsuit as an act of retaliation, claiming that his real motive is to silence her and deter other victims from coming forward. The lawsuit has quickly turned into a heated legal battle, drawing significant attention in Hollywood and beyond.
Lively’s motion to dismiss comes just two days after her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, also filed his own request to be dropped from the case. Baldoni, along with his business partners and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, is suing both Lively and Reynolds, as well as their publicist, for an eye-watering $400 million.
The lawsuit alleges that the Hollywood couple and their team “hijacked” Baldoni’s film It Ends With Us and then deliberately worked to destroy his career. Reynolds’ legal team has called the claims baseless, arguing that he should not be involved in the dispute at all.
Meanwhile, Lively’s publicist, Leslie Sloane, has also filed a separate motion to dismiss, further complicating the case.
Lively’s legal team is relying on a California law designed to protect individuals from retaliatory defamation lawsuits related to sexual harassment allegations.
This legislation, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in October 2023, aims to prevent powerful figures from using the courts to silence victims. Lively’s lawyers argue that she was fully within her rights to report Baldoni’s alleged misconduct and to discuss it with the media, including The New York Times.
They maintain that Baldoni’s lawsuit is not about defamation but rather a calculated attempt to intimidate her and others who might come forward with similar claims.
Baldoni, however, has vehemently denied all accusations of sexual harassment and retaliation. His legal team insists that Lively orchestrated a smear campaign against him, working with
The New York Times to publish what they call a “self-serving” article about her complaint with the California Civil Rights Department. According to Baldoni, Lively’s actions were part of a broader scheme to ruin his reputation and career.
The New York Times, which is also facing a $250 million lawsuit from Baldoni, has publicly stated that it stands by its reporting and has asked the court to dismiss the case against it.
In her motion to dismiss, Lively’s attorneys argue that Baldoni’s lawsuit has no legal foundation and is simply a “public relations instrument” designed to carry out his “sinister campaign” of punishing her for speaking out.
They assert that Baldoni and his team have done more harm to themselves by filing such an aggressive lawsuit, which they describe as a blatant effort to “sue Ms. Lively into oblivion.”
The actress’s legal team is urging the court to recognize the case for what they believe it is—an attempt to silence a woman who dared to stand up for herself.
The legal battle is far from over, with both sides standing firm in their positions. While Baldoni continues to fight to prove that he has been wronged, Lively and her team are pushing for immediate dismissal, claiming that the lawsuit has no merit.
The case has sparked wider conversations about the use of defamation lawsuits as a weapon against sexual harassment survivors and could set a significant legal precedent.
As the court proceedings unfold, all eyes remain on what could be one of Hollywood’s most contentious legal disputes in recent memory.
Blake Lively’s legal team has criticized Justin Baldoni’s lawsuit, arguing that it lacks solid evidence and relies on speculation and conspiracy theories.
In their filing, Lively’s attorneys claim that Baldoni and his associates have not presented any concrete facts to support their claims and instead have resorted to accusations that Lively fabricated her allegations of sexual harassment.
They argue that the complaint is an attempt to discredit her rather than address any actual wrongdoing. According to Lively’s team, Baldoni’s lawsuit is not based on legitimate grievances but rather a deliberate effort to undermine her credibility and silence her.
In their motion, Lively’s lawyers point out contradictions in Baldoni’s claims. They note that on one hand, Baldoni and his team portray Lively as a powerful Hollywood figure who, alongside her husband Ryan Reynolds, allegedly took control of It Ends With Us. Yet, on the other hand, they argue that she was so powerless that the only way she could gain influence was by fabricating a sexual harassment allegation nearly a year in advance.
“These two concepts contradict each other and therefore cannot coexist,” Lively’s legal team stated, highlighting the inconsistency in Baldoni’s accusations. They argue that this contradiction weakens the credibility of the lawsuit and further proves that it is driven by an ulterior motive rather than a genuine pursuit of justice.
In addition to seeking dismissal of the case, Lively’s attorneys are requesting that Baldoni be ordered to pay her legal fees, treble damages, and punitive damages.
They argue that his lawsuit is not just legally unfounded but also a malicious attempt to punish her for coming forward with her allegations. If granted, these damages would serve as both compensation for Lively’s legal expenses and a financial penalty against Baldoni for what her team describes as a frivolous and retaliatory lawsuit.
The request for treble damages, which could significantly increase the financial consequences for Baldoni, underscores the seriousness with which Lively’s legal team views the situation.
Baldoni’s attorney, however, has pushed back against Lively’s motion, accusing her of “abusing our legal system.” In a statement, Baldoni’s legal representative argued that Lively is distorting state laws for her personal benefit.
“Stringent rules are put into place to protect the innocent and allow individuals to rightfully defend themselves,” the statement read. “Laws are not meant to be twisted and curated by privileged elites to fit their own personal agenda.”
Baldoni’s team maintains that his lawsuit is a legitimate attempt to seek justice, dismissing Lively’s claims that it is a baseless attempt at retaliation.
Meanwhile, Ryan Reynolds has also filed a request to be removed from the lawsuit, stating that Baldoni’s case against him is nothing more than a reaction to “hurt feelings.”
Reynolds’ attorneys argue that his only role in the situation has been as a “supportive spouse” to Lively and that there is no legal basis for him to be included in the lawsuit.
According to Reynolds’ filing, the entire case against him revolves around two instances in which he allegedly called Baldoni a “predator.” However, the filing contends that nothing in the lawsuit suggests Reynolds did not genuinely believe this statement to be true.
His legal team argues that expressing such an opinion is protected under the First Amendment and does not constitute defamation.
Lively has also taken further action against Baldoni by filing an amended complaint last month, in which she claimed that other women have come forward with similar allegations about Baldoni’s behavior on set.
While she has not disclosed specific details about these additional claims, her attorneys argue that they further support her case and demonstrate a pattern of misconduct.
Baldoni, however, has denied these new allegations, maintaining that he has never engaged in any form of sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior.
As the legal battle intensifies, both sides remain firm in their positions, setting the stage for a highly publicized courtroom showdown.
