New York Federal Judge Dismisses Majority of Blake Lively’s Harassment and Defamation Claims Against Co-Star Justin Baldoni

A federal judge dismissed Blake Lively’s harassment claims against Justin Baldoni but allowed retaliation and contract claims to proceed to a May trial.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 4, 2026, 3:24 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from BBC News

Judicial Sifting of Hollywood Legal Claims

The complex legal dispute between actress Blake Lively and director-performer Justin Baldoni saw a significant shift on Thursday as Judge Lewis Liman issued a 152-page opinion. The judge dismissed the bulk of Lively’s lawsuit, specifically targeting her claims of sexual harassment and defamation. While the core of the sensational allegations has been stripped away, Liman ruled that three specific claims—breach of contract, retaliation, and the aiding and abetting of retaliation—possess enough merit to be heard by a jury. This decision effectively transitions the case from a broad grievance over on-set conduct into a more focused civil trial centered on professional reprisal.

Technical Grounds for Dismissing Harassment Allegations

The dismissal of the sexual harassment claims was largely rooted in jurisdictional and employment technicalities rather than a factual exoneration. Judge Liman noted that Lively brought certain harassment claims under California law, despite the fact that the alleged misconduct occurred during filming in New Jersey. According to the court’s filing, there was no "substantial connection" to California to sustain those specific legal arguments. Furthermore, the judge determined that Lively was ineligible for certain protections because her role on the production was classified as an independent contractor rather than a traditional employee, a distinction that frequently complicates labor disputes in the entertainment industry.

Retaliation and the Limits of Public Relations

Despite dismissing the defamation counts, Judge Liman found that some of Lively’s accusations regarding a "coordinated campaign" to destroy her reputation warranted further judicial review. Lively’s legal team has accused Baldoni and his studio, Wayfarer, of utilizing social media manipulation and friendly journalistic outlets to sow negative narratives about the actress. While the judge acknowledged that defendants are legally entitled to hire crisis management specialists to protect their own reputations, he noted that certain conduct in this case "arguably crossed the line" into actionable retaliation. This creates a legal pathway for Lively to argue that the aftermath of her initial complaints resulted in professional harm.