‘Utterly pointless motion to compel’: Blake Lively’s lawyers blast Baldoni team as judge rules against emotional distress claims

A federal judge has ruled against Blake Lively in her ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni, dismissing her claims of emotional distress in their lawsuit regarding the film “It Ends with Us.” The decision came just months before the trial is set to begin in March 2025.

According to Hindustan Times, Judge Lewis J Liman of the Southern District of New York denied Lively’s request to withdraw her emotional distress claims on Tuesday. The judge specified that these claims would not be dismissed without prejudice unless both parties agreed to the terms.

Lively’s legal team, represented by attorneys Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, criticized Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios’ actions, calling it an “utterly pointless motion to compel, all searching for yet another press moment.” They maintained that Lively would continue pursuing emotional distress damages through other claims in her lawsuit, including allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation.

Legal battle intensifies as multiple lawsuits emerge

The conflict began in December 2024 when Lively filed a formal complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, accusing Baldoni and his associates of sexual harassment and retaliation. This was followed by a defamation and extortion lawsuit from Baldoni against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their public relations team.

Judge Liman’s ruling stated that if the emotional distress claims are not dismissed, Lively would be prevented from presenting any evidence related to emotional distress in the case. This development adds another layer of complexity to an already complicated legal situation that has drawn in other high-profile figures, including Taylor Swift, Disney, and Marvel.

The case has particularly focused on allegations of mistreatment during the production of “It Ends with Us,” a film that addressed themes of domestic violence. While the movie performed well at the box office, reports of tension during its press tour and premiere emerged shortly after.

Sources close to the case indicate that a settlement is unlikely, with both parties expressing their intention to proceed with the trial. The case is scheduled to begin on March 9, 2025, in New York City, in the same courthouse where Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ sex-trafficking case is being heard.