Blake Lively isn’t backing down.
In a fierce new legal filing, the actress made it crystal clear she intends to face Justin Baldoni in court over allegations of sexual harassment and a coordinated smear campaign tied to their film It Ends With Us.
Lively’s legal team filed a 72-page opposition early this morning, rejecting Baldoni’s late November motion to dismiss her claims through summary judgment. The document, heavily redacted on nearly every page, accuses Baldoni, producer Jamey Heath, Steve Sarowitz, and their associates of creating a “hostile environment” during production and marketing—then retaliating when she spoke up.
And she’s not letting them dodge accountability.
Lively Demands Her Day in Court
Lively’s lawyers pulled no punches in their response.
In their latest effort to avoid accountability for the hostile environment they created during the production and marketing of It Ends With Us, Justin Baldoni, Jamey Heath, Steve Sarowitz, and their co-defendants ask this Court to shield them from trial, and deny Blake Lively her day in court, by throwing the kitchen sink at Lively’s sexual harassment and retaliation claims.
The filing from Lively’s powerhouse legal team—comprising attorneys from Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, Willkie Farr & Gallagher, and Dunn Isaacson Rhee—described Baldoni’s defense strategy as scattershot and evasive.
They argue Baldoni’s team has attempted to paint Lively as a “bully” who allegedly “took over” Baldoni’s film. But according to her lawyers, that narrative doesn’t hold water as a legal defense against harassment, retaliation, or defamation.
A Power Imbalance Behind the Scenes
Despite Lively’s A-list status, her legal team emphasized a critical workplace reality: Baldoni and Heath held all the power on set.
Lively may be a movie star, but on the set of the Film, Heath and Baldoni were her bosses with a total consolidation of power as lead actor, producer, director, co-chairman, president, and CEO.
According to the memo, Heath and Baldoni controlled her schedule, her salary, and her working conditions. They were also responsible for addressing HR concerns—a responsibility Lively’s team suggests they failed to uphold.
Her attorneys further alleged that Baldoni and Heath leveraged their close friendship to “act with a certain degree of impunity” and cover up each other’s misconduct.
Accusations of a Smear Campaign
Lively’s filing didn’t just focus on on-set behavior. It also targeted what she describes as a calculated public relations attack designed to discredit her.
Her legal team accused Baldoni’s camp of employing a “Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender” strategy—essentially flipping the script to portray themselves as the victims.
The heavily redacted 259-page response to Wayfarer’s statement of undisputed facts repeatedly references media outlets including the New York Post and People Magazine, suggesting coordinated media placements favorable to Baldoni.
Communications from publicist Melissa Nathan and attorney Bryan Freedman regarding media coverage are cited multiple times, painting a picture of strategic spin.
High-Profile Names Enter the Fray
Lively’s filings mention several notable figures, though much of the context remains obscured by redactions.
It Ends With Us author Colleen Hoover—who recently expressed frustration that legal battles have overshadowed her work—appears frequently throughout the documents.
Co-star Jenny Slate is also referenced in connection with concerns she allegedly raised about Baldoni’s behavior during production. Communications from Sony executive Ange Giannetti appear as well.
And while not explicitly named, references to “famous friends” likely point to Taylor Swift and Hugh Jackman, the latter being Lively’s husband Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool & Wolverine co-star.
The Legal Battle Ahead
This latest filing arrives more than six months after Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit was dismissed and four months before trial is scheduled to begin in New York City.
That March 9 start date looks increasingly likely to proceed. Sources suggest settlement talks are nowhere near resolution, especially given the combative tone of recent filings.
Lively is seeking damages in the range of $500 million, according to previous court documents.
The case stems from Lively’s initial complaint filed on December 20, 2024, with the California Civil Rights Department, detailing alleged misconduct during production of the Sony-distributed film.
What Happens Next?
The ball is now in Judge Lewis Liman’s court—literally.
If he denies Baldoni’s motion for summary judgment, the case will proceed to trial, where both sides will present evidence and testimony in front of a jury.
Baldoni’s representatives have not responded to requests for comment on Lively’s latest filings.
For now, the mother of four who “simply sought a safe and respectful workplace” is standing firm. She’s made one thing abundantly clear: she’s ready to fight this battle in open court, no matter how long it takes or how messy it gets.
And she’s not going anywhere.