Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni: Judge Dismisses Sexual Harassment Lawsuit
- A federal judge in New York has dismissed the sexual harassment claims filed by actor Blake Lively against her It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni.
- Liman dismissed 10 of the 13 allegations brought by Lively, including those centered on sexual harassment and defamation.
- A primary factor in the dismissal of the sexual harassment claims was the legal determination of Lively's professional status.
A federal judge in New York has dismissed the sexual harassment claims filed by actor Blake Lively against her It Ends With Us
co-star and director Justin Baldoni. The ruling, issued on April 2, 2026, significantly narrows the scope of the legal battle that began in December 2024.
Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed 10 of the 13 allegations brought by Lively, including those centered on sexual harassment and defamation. While the judge acknowledged that the conduct described by Lively would support a hostile work environment claim in a typical professional setting, such as an executive suite or factory floor, he determined that the actions occurred within the context of the film’s production.
Legal Technicalities and Employment Status
A primary factor in the dismissal of the sexual harassment claims was the legal determination of Lively’s professional status. Judge Liman ruled that Lively was an independent contractor rather than an employee. She was not entitled to bring sexual harassment claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a law designed to prohibit employment discrimination based on gender and other grounds.
Lively’s legal team, including attorney Sigrid McCawley, stated that the claims were dropped due to this technicality and not because the defendants did nothing wrong. McCawley emphasized that the case remains focused on alleged retaliation and efforts to damage the actress’s reputation.
Details of the Allegations
The lawsuit detailed several specific interactions during the filming of It Ends With Us
, an adaptation of the Colleen Hoover novel. According to the court’s ruling, Lively alleged that Baldoni leaned in as if to kiss her, kissed her forehead, rubbed his face and mouth against her neck, flicked her lower lip with his thumb and told her that her neck smells good
.
Justin Baldoni has denied the sexual harassment allegations. His legal team expressed gratitude to the court for its review of the evidence and stated they look forward to defending the remaining claims.
Remaining Claims and Trial Schedule
Despite the dismissal of the harassment and defamation claims, three specific allegations will proceed to a civil trial: breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting in retaliation.
The trial is scheduled to begin on May 18, 2026. Following the ruling, lawyers held a phone conference to discuss the process of jury selection.
The remaining claims do not include Justin Baldoni as a personal defendant. Instead, they are directed at other parties, including:
- Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer Studios
- The LLC responsible for the film
- A public relations company retained by Baldoni’s team
Representatives for Wayfarer Studios stated they were very pleased
that the court dismissed all sexual harassment claims and those against individual defendants.
Previous Legal Developments
The current proceedings follow a previous legal attempt by Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios to countersue Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds. In June 2025, the judge dismissed Baldoni’s countersuit, which had sought $400 million on allegations of defamation, civil extortion, and invasion of privacy.
Lively intends to testify during the upcoming trial. Her legal team maintains that the proceedings will continue to highlight what they describe as a vicious form of online retaliation
.