Baldoni Files Motion for Summary Judgment

Justin Baldoni and his legal team have filed a motion asking U.S. District Court Judge Lewis J. Liman to dismiss Blake Lively’s lawsuit against him, Wayfarer Studios, and several associated parties. The 73-page filing, submitted on November 13, 2025, requests that the judge rule in their favor without proceeding to trial.

Alongside Baldoni, the motion includes defendants such as producer Jamey Heath, Steve Sarowitz, It Ends With Us Movie LLC, The Agency Group PR LLC, publicists Jennifer Abel and Melissa Nathan, Texas-based social media consultant Jed Wallace, and Street Relations Inc.

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Background of the Legal Dispute

The lawsuit stems from Lively’s December 2024 claims alleging misconduct on the set of It Ends With Us, directed by Baldoni, and a retaliatory smear campaign. Lively, 38, accuses Baldoni, 42, and his collaborators of creating a hostile and discriminatory work environment, sexual harassment, and professional retaliation that derailed her career after she raised concerns. Baldoni has denied all allegations.

Baldoni’s attorneys argue in their new filing that “no reasonable juror could find that the handful of comments and miscommunications Lively has mustered amounts to sexual harassment.” They also contend that Lively did not suffer an “adverse employment action in any traditional sense.”

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Lively’s Alleged Losses

Recently unsealed court filings revealed that Lively is seeking over $160 million in damages. This includes:

• $56 million in lost acting and professional earnings
• $71 million in lost profits from her ventures, including Betty Buzz, Betty Booze, and Blake Brown Beauty
• $34 million for reputational harm, based on an estimated 65 million negative social media impressions

She is also pursuing compensation for punitive damages, attorney’s fees, and emotional distress, with damages for pain, suffering, and humiliation estimated between $250,000 and $400,000.

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Prior Legal Developments

This filing follows a series of key developments in the case:

• Baldoni’s $400 million defamation countersuit against Lively was dismissed on October 31, 2025.
• All other retaliatory lawsuits filed by Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and associated parties against Lively and her team have now been dismissed.
• U.S. District Court Judge Liman previously dismissed Baldoni’s $250 million defamation lawsuit against The New York Times.

Despite these dismissals, Lively’s claims against Baldoni remain active and are scheduled for trial in March 2026 in the Southern District of New York.

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Witnesses and Case Scope

Court documents list a wide range of potential witnesses, including high-profile figures such as Taylor Swift and Hugh Jackman. The breadth of the witness list highlights the case’s complexity, spanning allegations of workplace harassment, reputational damage, and the influence of social media on celebrity careers.

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Looking Ahead

The motion for summary judgment marks the latest phase in a high-profile Hollywood legal battle with wide-reaching implications for workplace accountability, celebrity rights, and reputational management in the entertainment industry. Judge Liman’s ruling on Baldoni’s request could determine whether the case proceeds to trial or is dismissed outright.