In a high-profile legal battle unfolding in Hollywood, Blake Lively is set to testify against Justin Baldoni regarding allegations of sexual harassment stemming from the production of the film It Ends With Us. As the trial approaches, scheduled for March 9, 2026, the stakes are rising, with both sides embroiled in a contentious dispute that has drawn in other celebrities, including Lively's husband Ryan Reynolds and her friend Taylor Swift.
Stephanie Jones, a well-known publicist who has worked with stars like Tom Brady and J Balvin, is currently in the thick of this legal quagmire. In a memorandum filed on May 8, 2025, Jones accused Baldoni's team of harassment, asserting that their attempts to shift blame and distance themselves from their conduct are blatant. The memo describes the alleged actions of Baldoni's team as "repugnant" and calls for their dismissal from the case.
According to Lively's attorneys, Mike Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, this case revolves around Lively's claims of sexual harassment and the retaliation she faced afterward. "This is a case about what happened to Blake Lively when she raised claims of sexual harassment on the set and the retaliation that followed," they stated, confirming that Lively will indeed testify.
Meanwhile, Reynolds' involvement in the case remains uncertain. Baldoni has filed a staggering $400 million defamation and extortion lawsuit against Reynolds, Lively, their publicist Leslie Sloane, and the New York Times. The nature of this lawsuit has drawn significant media attention, particularly due to allegations that Reynolds mocked Baldoni through a character named Nicepool in the 2024 film Deadpool & Wolverine.
Gottlieb has criticized Baldoni's legal team for their intention to involve celebrities like Reynolds and Swift, questioning the relevance of their testimonies in a case centered on serious workplace allegations. He emphasized that the trial should not devolve into a media circus, stating, "You can’t just go around subpoenaing people because they’re famous and you think it will generate a bunch of headlines. And the federal courts don’t tolerate that kind of behavior."
In response, Baldoni's lawyer, Bryan Freedman, has argued that Lively brought her high-profile friends into the situation herself. He stated, "Although obviously uncomfortable for the Lively parties, the truth is not a distraction. Blake was the one who brought her high-profile friends into this situation without concern for their own personal or public backlash." Freedman further claimed that Reynolds' involvement is well-documented, suggesting a deeper narrative at play.
The legal conflict began when Lively filed a sexual harassment complaint with California’s Civil Rights department on December 20, 2024. Just a day later, the New York Times published an exposé detailing the allegations and an alleged smear campaign against Lively orchestrated by Baldoni's team. This has since led to a flurry of lawsuits and counterclaims, with both sides accusing each other of misconduct.
Jones' 35-page filing against Baldoni's team accuses them of retaliating against Lively and attempting to cover up Baldoni's alleged wrongdoings. The document claims that Baldoni's amended counterclaims are "devoid of any footing in law or reality," serving only to express their anger over the public exposure of Baldoni's alleged sexual harassment.
As the trial date approaches, Lively has made several public appearances, including attending the SNL 50th anniversary event and the TIME 100 gala, where she shared her own experiences with sexual assault. Reflecting on her tumultuous year, she remarked, "This year has been the highest of highs and the lowest of lows in my life." Lively has also been promoting the sequel to her film A Simple Favor, navigating her career amidst the ongoing legal turmoil.
While Lively's team aims to limit the involvement of celebrity witnesses, they remain prepared for the possibility that high-profile figures may testify. Gottlieb has confirmed that other witnesses who observed incidents on set will also provide testimony, further complicating the legal landscape.
As the case continues to unfold, the public is left to wonder how this high-profile drama will play out in the courtroom. With both sides preparing for an intense legal battle, the implications of this case extend beyond Hollywood, touching on broader issues of workplace harassment and the power dynamics at play in the entertainment industry.
In the midst of this legal storm, Lively's resilience shines through as she navigates the complexities of her situation. With her career in the spotlight and public attention focused on the trial, she remains determined to share her story and advocate for change.
