Date: 06-09-2025

Case Style:

Justin Baldoni, et al. v. Blake Lively, et al.

Case Number: 25-cv-00449

Judge: Lewis J. Liman

Court: United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (New York County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: Amit Shertzer, Kevin A. Fritz, Mitchell Schuster, Jason Sunshine

Defendant's Attorney: Esra Hudson, Michael Gottlich, Krisin Bender, Matthew Burns, Stephanie Roeser

Description: New York City, New York personal injuries lawyers represented the parties in a libel and slander dispute.

Actress Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni are in a legal battle over what may or may not have happened on the set of their Colleen Hoover adaptation, It Ends With Us, with Lively accusing her director and costar on the film of sexual harassment and a subsequent retaliatory campaign against her. Since then, the two have communicated through warring legal teams and the press as they head toward their March 2026 court case.

Outcome: OPINION AND ORDER re: (105 in 1:24-cv-10049-LJL) MOTION to Dismiss Plaintiffs' First Amended Complaint. filed by The New York Times Company, (132 in 1:24-cv-10049-LJL) MOTION to Dismiss the Amended Complaint (ECF No. 50). filed by Ryan Reynolds, (144 in 1:24-cv-10049-LJL) MOTION to Dismiss the Amended Complaint and for Related Relief (ECF No. 50). filed by Blake Lively, (86 in 1:24-cv-10049-LJL, 86 in 1:24-cv-10049-LJL, 86 in 1:24-cv-10049-LJL) MOTION to Dismiss First Amended Complaint. MOTION for Attorney Fees and Costs. MOTION to Strike Document No. [50-1] . filed by Vision PR, Inc., Leslie Sloane. The motions to dismiss are GRANTED. The Wayfarer Parties have leave to file a Second Amended Complaint by June 23, 2025, amending only the allegations relevant to the claims of tortious interference with contract and breach of implied covenant. The motions to strike are DENIED. The motions for fees and damages pursuant to New York Civil Rights Law § 70-a and California Civil Code § 47.1 are DENIED without prejudice to renewal by formal motion. The Clerk of Court is respectfully directed to close Dkt. Nos. 86, 105, 132, 144. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Lewis J. Liman on 6/9/2025) Filed In Associated Cases: 1:24-cv-10049-LJL, 1:25-cv-00449-LJL (ks) (Entered: 06/09/2025)

Lively's lawyers Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb called the ruling "a total victory and a complete vindication" for Lively, as well as Reynolds, Sloane and the New York Times.

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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