In a high-profile legal battle that continues to unfold, actress Blake Lively has filed a motion to dismiss a substantial defamation lawsuit brought by her co-star and director, Justin Baldoni. The lawsuit, which amounts to an astonishing $400 million, comes on the heels of allegations Lively made against Baldoni regarding sexual harassment during the filming of the romantic drama It Ends With Us.
On March 20, 2025, in federal court in New York, Lively's legal representatives asserted that Baldoni's claims are not only retaliatory but also indicative of an abuse of the legal process. They invoked California's Assembly Bill 933 (AB 933), a law that Governor Gavin Newsom signed in 2023 to shield individuals who report harassment from retaliatory lawsuits. According to Lively's attorneys, this statute explicitly prohibits the weaponization of defamation lawsuits against those who have the courage to speak out.
"This lawsuit is a profound abuse of the legal process that has no place in federal court," stated Lively's attorneys, Mike Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, emphasizing the grounds for their dismissal motion. They further highlighted that AB 933 is designed to prevent powerful individuals from silencing harassment victims through legal intimidation.
The impetus for Lively's filing appears to be deeply rooted in her previous allegations against Baldoni, which she claims stem from a combination of inappropriate behavior and a retaliatory smear campaign against her following her complaints. In December 2024, she initially lodged her allegations with the California Civil Rights Department, which included claims that Baldoni made inappropriate comments and even walked in on her during private moments without consent.
In response to Lively's claims, Baldoni countered with his own $400 million lawsuit in January 2025, alleging that Lively and her team conspired to destroy his reputation, seeking to wrest control of the film project from him. Baldoni's claims accuse Lively and her associates of orchestrating a defamatory campaign against him, punctuated by erroneous allegations of misconduct.
Lively's motion to dismiss is grounded not only in her own grievances but also in California's commitment to protecting victims of harassment. According to her attorneys, the law specifies that statements made in the context of harassment complaints are protected unless proven otherwise. They pointed out that Baldoni has not sufficiently demonstrated the alleged damages or losses from the fallout of their professional relationship, bolstering their case for dismissal.
The implications of this legal battle extend beyond just Lively and Baldoni; they reflect a larger societal dynamics where powerful figures may attempt to silence accusers through the legal system. A spokesperson for Lively voiced, "The painful reality is that Ms. Lively is not alone in being sued for defamation after speaking up about being sexually harassed at work. This is precisely why California recently enacted AB 933, which aims to protect individuals from being financially ruined by such actions.
Conversely, Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, rebuked Lively's motion as a blatant misuse of the legal system, stating, "Ms. Lively's recent motion to dismiss herself from the self-concocted disaster she initiated is one of the most abhorrent examples of abusing our legal system." Freedman emphasized that legal frameworks are established to protect the innocent and should not be manipulated for selfish agendas, reiterating Baldoni's stance on accountability.
This legal kerfuffle underscores the complexity of navigating accusations and counteraccusations in the entertainment industry, especially in the wake of the #MeToo movement. By invoking AB 933, Lively's team highlights a critical juncture in legal cases involving sexual harassment, advocating for a system where victims can seek justice without fear of retaliation.
As the legal battle evolves, it raises questions about which jurisdiction's laws will ultimately apply. While Baldoni's team has pushed for California legislation to govern the case due to its ties to the state's industry, the ongoing discourse complicates matters further. Lively’s choice to file in New York federal court underscores her confidence in the legal framework there, yet the intersection of state laws creates layers of complexity around the eventual rulings.
The trial, currently scheduled for March 2026, will not only determine the outcomes for Lively and Baldoni but will also test the durability of California’s AB 933 in practical applications. If granted dismissal, Lively's case could set significant precedents in protecting accusers from legal spuriousness in similar high-stakes scenarios.
Both parties appear gearing for an intense legal fight ahead, with the broader context of how sexual harassment is addressed in Hollywood looming larger than just their feud. With both sides preparing for exhaustive battle, the entertainment industry will be watching closely, waiting to see how this unfolding narrative of power, accountability, and legal protections plays out in court.
