Justin Baldoni Lands Major Court Win in Blake Lively Case
By Alexus Mosley
Photo Credit/Backgrid
Justin Baldoni just picked up a major win in his ongoing legal battle with It Ends With Us co-star Blake Lively. A federal judge has dismissed the majority of Lively’s claims, including allegations tied to harassment, defamation, and conspiracy. Out of the 13 claims originally filed, 10 have now been thrown out.
Still, the case is far from over. Three claims (breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting retaliation) will continue forward and are expected to be decided at trial. The judge ruled that Lively could not pursue a sexual harassment claim under federal law due to her status as an independent contractor. He also noted that California law didn’t apply, since filming for the project took place in New Jersey.
At the same time, the court found that Lively’s central retaliation claims against Baldoni’s Wayfarer production company and related entities should be reviewed by a jury. The trial is currently set to begin on May 18, with both Lively and Baldoni expected to take the stand. Earlier this year, the two met in person for settlement talks, but the discussions reportedly ended without an agreement, meaning this case is officially headed for a courtroom showdown.