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Legal Battle Escalates: Blake Lively Accuses Justin Baldoni’s Team of “Scorched Earth Litigation” in Sexual Harassment Case
Attorneys representing Blake Lively have leveled accusations against Justin Baldoni‘s legal team, alleging they are employing aggressive “scorched earth litigation” tactics. These tactics, Lively’s team asserts, are designed to silence individuals from speaking out against alleged perpetrators of sexual misconduct.
Lively’s Lawyers Claim Baldoni Seeks to Undermine Accuser Protections
Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, legal representatives for Lively, issued a public statement on Thursday, April 10th, accusing Baldoni of attempting to dismantle legal safeguards intended to protect accusers. The statement, shared with Us Weekly, asserts Baldoni has shifted from promoting a brand that champions women to spearheading efforts to erode legislation that shields women who report sexual assault, harassment, and discrimination.
According to Lively’s legal team, California’s sexual harassment privilege, AB 933, is specifically designed to prevent individuals accused of sexual harassment from weaponizing defamation lawsuits to financially cripple their accusers and deter them from speaking out.
Background: Defamation Lawsuits Follow Sexual Harassment Allegations
The legal conflict between Lively and Baldoni, who collaborated on the film It Ends With Us, originated in December 2024. Lively publicly accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and initiating a “smear campaign” against her. Subsequently, in the same month, Baldoni, 41, initiated separate lawsuits against The New York Times, which initially reported the allegations, and Lively, 37. Baldoni’s lawsuits allege defamation and other claims. It is important to note that all involved parties have vehemently denied all allegations leveled against them.
“Chilling Message” to Victims, Says Lively’s Legal Team
In their Thursday statement, Hudson and Gottlieb further contended that the legal strategies employed by Baldoni’s team transmit a “chilling message” to potential victims. “The intimidating message this scorched earth litigation sends to victims is: remain silent or face destruction,” the statement declares. They added that Lively’s legal reply, filed on Thursday, demonstrates the “Wayfarer Parties'” attempt to retaliate against Lively for speaking out about alleged on-set sexual harassment has “failed spectacularly.” Furthermore, Lively’s representatives argue that these tactics expose Baldoni’s side to “significant financial penalties.” The statement concludes by affirming Lively’s commitment to supporting victims, asserting they “are not alone,” “do not have to be silent,” and that “the law is on their side.”
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Motion to Dismiss and “Vengeful” Claims
Lively’s legal team’s reply brief, filed on April 10th, seeks to dismiss Baldoni’s lawsuit against the actress. Legal documents reviewed by Us Weekly reveal Lively’s team argues that “Wayfarer Parties” are struggling to establish a viable defamation claim against Lively that is not barred by legal time limits or based on statements already protected within her initial legal complaints. These complaints, they argue, are conceded to be outside the scope of actionable claims.
Last month, Lively’s lawyers initiated the motion to dismiss, characterizing Baldoni’s claims as “vindictive,” “rambling,” and an abuse of the legal system. The legal filing emphasizes that California Civil Code Section 47.1 expressly prohibits retaliatory lawsuits connected to public disclosures of sexual harassment.
Baldoni’s Attorney Defends Complaint, Alleges “Extortion”
Bryan Freedman, Baldoni’s attorney, responded to the motion on Thursday, April 3rd, defending Baldoni’s legal complaint. Freedman contends that Baldoni’s filing details “Lively’s calculated efforts to initially extort and manipulate” Baldoni and his Wayfarer Studios production company. According to Freedman, Lively allegedly sought “total control” over the film It Ends with Us and then resorted to defamation and scapegoating when her alleged “plan backfired.”
Baldoni’s Counsel Cites First Amendment Rights
Freedman’s April 3rd statement asserts, “Ms. Lively and her circle of Hollywood elites cannot prevent my clients from exercising their constitutional right to petition the court to clear their names from her false and damaging claims.” He added, “Ms. Lively is attempting to set a dangerous precedent by barring the courthouse doors to my clients and punishing them for having their day in court, a right protected by the First Amendment.”
The statement further argues, “This right protects not only Mr. Baldoni and the Wayfarer parties in this particular case, but all Americans in the future who have false accusations leveled against them and seek recourse from our justice system. This must cease, and we will continue to fight against this blatant attempt to obstruct access to the court system and to weaken our nation’s Constitution to serve those who are in positions of power.”