In the latest Blake Lively legal battle updates, Justin Baldoni has decided not to refile his $400 million defamation lawsuit against his It Ends With Us co-star after its dismissal on June 9, instead opting to explore other legal strategies, according to his attorney. This development marks a dramatic moment in the ongoing conflict, with both sides showing no signs of resolution and fresh legal maneuvers on the horizon.
Baldoni Backs Away from Refiling Lawsuit, Looks at Other Legal Avenues
Earlier in June, Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed the high-profile defamation claim that Justin Baldoni had brought against Blake Lively, resulting in a major legal setback for the film director and actor. Though the court‘s decision allowed Baldoni an opportunity to amend and refile his lawsuit by June 23, his legal team announced that he would forgo this chance and look elsewhere for legal recourse.
Bryan Freedman, representing Baldoni, made it clear that their approach would not include submitting a revised version of the dismissed complaint. Instead, they chose to focus on unspecified legal options that could bring other aspects of their dispute to court. Freedman explained that discovery was ongoing, projecting confidence despite the previous legal defeat.
“Discovery is proceeding and we are confident that we will prevail against these factually baseless accusations,”
said Bryan Freedman, Justin Baldoni’s lawyer.
“Instead of revising the existing claims, our clients will be pursuing additional legal options that are available to us.”
—Bryan Freedman, Justin Baldoni’s lawyer
Courtroom Loss Doesn’t Shake Actor’s Pursuit of Vindication
Justin Baldoni first filed the defamation suit in January, directly responding to allegations from Blake Lively. Lively had previously accused Baldoni of sexually harassing her and orchestrating a campaign to damage her reputation during production of It Ends With Us. Baldoni’s counterclaim also named Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, as well as their publicist Leslie Sloane and her firm Vision PR, Inc., broadening the legal fight well beyond just the two main actors.
While Judge Liman’s dismissal of Baldoni’s claim against Lively seemingly marked a major shift in the case, Baldoni’s legal team was quick to argue that the ruling did not invalidate his core assertions. Freedman, in his statement, emphasized that the result did not undermine their defense or the pursuit of the “truth.”
“The Court’s decision on the motion to dismiss has no effect whatsoever on the truth that there was no harassment nor any smear campaign,”
said Bryan Freedman.
“And it does not in any way affect our vigorous defense against Ms. Lively’s claims,”
he added. —Bryan Freedman, Justin Baldoni’s lawyer
Legal Team Criticizes Judge’s Dismissal as “Unfair” and “Not Right”
Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, voiced significant frustration with Judge Liman’s decision, criticizing both its fairness and rationale. In an interview shortly after the dismissal, Freedman described the legal ruling as damaging to Baldoni’s ability to publicly clear his name, reiterating his client’s desire to be vindicated in court. The backlash showcased the intensity and personal stakes driving both sides of the legal fight.
“He knows who he is. He knows what he’s done. He knows what he hasn’t done,”
said Bryan Freedman, speaking of his client’s conviction.
“And he wants the truth to come out, and he wants to do that in the appropriate way … he’s waiting for his day in court, where he can speak out to tell the truth,”
Freedman added. —Bryan Freedman, Justin Baldoni’s lawyer
Blake Lively Finds Relief After Court Dismisses Suit
The public nature of the allegations and counterclaims between Lively and Baldoni have placed immense emotional strain on both parties. After Lively’s December 2024 lawsuit against Baldoni—which centered on claims of sexual harassment during the production of It Ends With Us—Baldoni responded aggressively with his own defamation countersuit, even asserting that Lively and Reynolds tried to gain control of the film project.
However, Judge Liman ultimately sided with Lively, concluding her accusations were made within privileged court filings and should not expose her to defamation claims. News of this legal victory reportedly brought overwhelming relief to Lively. According to a source close to her, the actress was deeply moved by the ruling.
“Complete elation from Blake’s world and a monkey off her back,”
the insider said.
“Blake is breathing a sigh of relief right now, and all tears are happy tears.”
—Unnamed source, described as close to Blake Lively
Allegations Take Emotional Toll as Settlement Remains Distant
Behind the scenes, reconciliation between the two stars appears unlikely. In a March podcast appearance on The Town hosted by Matthew Belloni, Bryan Freedman dismissed the notion that the case would be settled privately to minimize further reputational damage. He underlined how the legal ordeal had already ruined his client’s career and personal life.
“The reality is this is not a circus when you go through an experience like this,”
Freedman said.
“I’ve represented a lot of people in the worst moments of their career, the worst moments of their life. Justin has been destroyed by this.”
—Bryan Freedman, Justin Baldoni’s lawyer
Currently, the parties face a significant trial date set for March 9, 2026, keeping the future of both Lively and Baldoni uncertain and bound to the shadow of their bitter legal conflict.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for Both Sides
The decision not to refile the suit signals a strategic shift for Justin Baldoni as he continues disputing Blake Lively’s allegations, while Lively herself seeks to move forward after her courtroom win. Ryan Reynolds, Leslie Sloane, and Sloane’s PR firm are entangled in this ongoing drama, adding further complexity. Both sides remain entrenched as public and legal battles play out, with the outcome likely to have major personal and professional consequences for everyone involved.
With legal proceedings and new claims potentially on the way, the intensity and fallout from these Blake Lively legal battle updates are set to influence celebrity legal standards and reputations long before the scheduled 2026 trial.
