Did Blake Lively Win Her Lawsuit Against Justin Baldoni? Everything to Know About the Legal Battle and Verdict

In the tangled realm where Hollywood’s glamor meets offscreen realities, the stories behind the cameras often reflect far more than the scripts themselves. Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, once collaborators on a creative project, found themselves navigating a complex and sensitive legal dispute. Their professional relationship has since shifted from one of artistic partnership to a contested space of legal claims and responses.

At the heart of this dispute is a question of whether the court will side with Lively’s claims about conditions on set and the protections owed to those who raise concerns. The yet-to-be-confirmed verdict will mark a significant moment in how such workplace issues are handled in Hollywood.

Did Blake Lively win her lawsuit?

Blake Lively’s lawsuit against Justin Baldoni involves concerns she raised about the working environment during the making of the film It Ends With Us, which Baldoni directed and co-starred in. Lively expressed discomfort with the manner in which some intimate scenes were managed, citing a lack of full communication and mutual agreement, which affected her sense of safety and professionalism on set. As of August 2025, although both parties have launched aggressive legal actions, the judges’ current stance has favored protecting individuals who report sexual harassment under California law, suggesting a probable legal win for Lively if the case concludes on these grounds.

The case initially took a significant turn in mid-2025 when Blake Lively’s legal team filed motions aiming to dismiss Justin Baldoni’s countersuit. Justin Baldoni’s retaliation, on the other hand, had been in response to The New York Times’s story for Blake Lively, as reported by Good Morning America, while reinforcing the legitimacy of her original claims. 

This lawsuit stems from specific disagreements on set about how intimate scenes were directed and handled. Blake Lively’s decision to take legal action highlights the ongoing conversation about maintaining clear boundaries and respect during film productions.

Why did Blake Lively sue Justin Baldoni?

The suit followed Blake Lively’s raising of concerns about certain on-set decisions that impacted her professional comfort and boundaries. She noted that some intimate scenes were adjusted or extended without thorough prior discussion, along with requests involving on-camera exposure that were not fully coordinated or agreed upon. Lively also described experiencing resistance after bringing up these concerns, which created tensions during the production.

   In addition, other cast members have shared similar feelings, stacking up on the testimonials, suggesting that these issues were not isolated, but reflected challenges in communication and management within the film’s production.  

What was Justin Baldoni’s countersuit about?

Justin Baldoni responded with a countersuit accusing Blake Lively and some of her associates of making unfounded public claims and applying undue pressure. He filed a civil lawsuit, demanding damages upwards of $400 million, contesting Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, along with publicist Leslie Sloane, with devising a false narrative to damage his reputation and take control over the film’s production, which the Gossip Girl actress broke her silence on, revealing how shaken she was by the accusation.

Various netizens and news outlets interpreted Justin Baldoni’s suit as an assertion that others involved were part of an effort that negatively affected his career, and that his suit characterized some of the allegations as exaggerated or misrepresented. The countersuit reflects the complexity and tension that can arise when professional disagreements become legal battles.

From the initial complaint to counterclaims and legal motions, the sequence of events reveals the escalating stakes and complexity in this legal conflict. Tracking these developments, as compiled here, is key to understanding where the dispute stands today.

Summary of the Legal Timeline and Developments

The legal process between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni began in late 2024, when Lively formally filed a complaint expressing concerns about the on-set environment. Soon after, in early 2025, Baldoni filed a defamation lawsuit against media coverage and later a countersuit against Lively and others, citing harm to his reputation. Both parties have since submitted various motions and supplementary evidence, reflecting an ongoing and intricate dispute. This case highlights the evolving challenges around workplace conduct, mutual respect, and accountability in the entertainment industry.

Between December 2024 and mid-2025, the legal conflict between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni escalated significantly. Lively began by filing a formal complaint alleging sexual harassment on set. Baldoni responded with a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times and later filed a $400 million countersuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and her PR team. Lively strengthened her case with an amended complaint including more evidence and witness accounts as per Deadline’s documentation. Her team also sought dismissal of Baldoni’s countersuit citing legal protections. Both sides are now set for continued court proceedings in early 2026.

 While the court proceedings continue, Blake Lively’s motion to dismiss the countersuit signals growing recognition of protections for those who voice concerns in professional settings. On the other hand, Justin Baldoni’s countersuit shows how such disputes can carry significant personal and professional consequences. Overall, this legal battle is representative of ongoing conversations about power, reputation, and fairness in Hollywood.

What verdict do you think is going to be passed? Let us know in the comments below.