Blake Lively Asks Court to Dismiss Justin Baldoni's 'Vengeful' Lawsuit Against Her

Blake Lively is fighting to dismiss what she calls a "baseless" and "retaliatory" lawsuit from Justin Baldoni, arguing that his defamation claims are a blatant attempt to punish her for speaking out about sexual harassment and workplace retaliation.

On Thursday, March 20, Lively, 37, and her legal team filed a motion to dismiss Baldoni’s, 41, complaint, calling the It Ends With Us director and costar's $400 million lawsuit “vengeful and rambling” and an abuse of the legal system.

Lively’s attorneys, Mike Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, blasted the suit as legally groundless and an effort to silence her. "This lawsuit is a profound abuse of the legal process that has no place in federal court," they said in a statement. "California law now expressly prohibits suing victims who speak out against sexual harassment or retaliation, whether in a lawsuit or in the press. This meritless and retaliatory lawsuit faces three insurmountable legal obstacles, including the litigation, fair report, and sexual harassment privileges. The latter contains a mandatory fee-shifting provision that will require billionaire Steve Sarowitz and Wayfarer Studios to pay damages. In an epic self-own, the Wayfarer Parties’ attempt to sue Ms. Lively ‘into oblivion’ has only created more liability for them—deservedly so, given their actions.”

Lively’s legal team argues that the lawsuit is part of the Wayfarer Parties’ campaign to "bury" and "destroy" her for speaking out about her allegations.

The legal battle began in December 2024, when Lively sued Baldoni, It Ends With Us producer Jamey Heath, Wayfarer Studios co-founder Steve Sarowitz, and others, accusing them of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign to damage her reputation. Baldoni responded with a $400 million defamation lawsuit, also suing her husband, Ryan Reynolds, 48.

Lively’s attorneys' new motion alleges that Baldoni and his co-defendants are subject to California Civil Code Section 47.1, a newly enacted law that prohibits retaliatory lawsuits tied to public disclosures of sexual harassment. The statute explicitly bars lawsuits meant to punish individuals for speaking out, whether in legal complaints or public statements.

Lively’s attorneys also challenge Baldoni’s claim that she "conspired" with The New York Times, arguing that she was legally entitled to file a complaint and disclose its contents. They call this allegation meritless and another intimidation tactic.

If the court dismisses the lawsuit under Section 47.1, Baldoni and his co-defendants could be required to pay Lively’s legal fees, treble damages, and punitive damages.

A spokesperson for Lively added in a statement, "The painful reality is that Ms. Lively is not alone in being sued for defamation after speaking up about workplace sexual harassment. That is exactly why California recently enacted AB 933, which codified Civil Code Section 47.1. While Ms. Lively has suffered greatly for speaking up and pursuing legal claims, it is important for others to know that they have legal protections. There is a specific law that shields them from being silenced or financially ruined simply because they had the courage to tell their truth.”

Baldoni's attorney Bryan Freedman previously said Baldoni has been left financially and emotionally "devastated" by the legal battle. "...In these kinds of cases, once someone says something it becomes fact: There’s no way to fight against it,” he said. 

Baldoni and Lively are set to face off in court on March 9, 2026.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, March 19, Ryan Reynolds filed his own motion to dismiss Baldoni’s lawsuit, further challenging its legal grounds.

PEOPLE has reached out to Baldoni and his legal team for comment.