Blake Lively’s legal team is taking swift action to dismiss the $400 million lawsuit filed by Justin Baldoni, with their sights set on clearing her name ahead of their upcoming trial next year. The actress has filed a new appeal that invokes California’s protective laws for individuals who report sexual misconduct, aiming to quash Baldoni’s claims.
On March 20th, Lively’s legal team submitted a motion to dismiss Baldoni’s lawsuit, calling the legal complaint “vengeful and rambling” and accusing him of abusing the legal system. The Gossip Girl star’s lawyers argued that Baldoni’s lawsuit is an attempt to “bury” Lively’s allegations and “destroy” her for speaking out about workplace harassment.
In their filing, Lively’s legal team referenced California Civil Code Section 47.1, a law recently passed to prevent retaliatory lawsuits linked to sexual harassment claims. They argued that Baldoni and his co-defendants should be subjected to this new law, which could require them to pay for Lively’s legal fees, in addition to potential treble damages and punitive penalties.
Lively’s representative further emphasized the importance of this law, explaining that lawsuits like Baldoni’s are part of a larger pattern of defamation cases against individuals who speak up about sexual harassment in the workplace. “The painful reality is that Ms. Lively is not alone in being sued for defamation after speaking up about workplace sexual harassment,” the representative shared. “That is exactly why California recently enacted AB 933, which codified Civil Code Section 47.1.”
Baldoni, known for his role in Jane the Virgin, filed the lawsuit against Lively, alleging defamation. However, Lively’s team insists the lawsuit is part of a broader retaliation campaign to undermine her voice and punish her for taking a stand against sexual misconduct.
The trial is set to begin on March 9, 2026, and both parties are expected to face off in court to settle the contentious legal battle. As Lively continues her legal fight, her team is committed to ensuring that her rights are protected under California’s laws against retaliation.
