Blake Lively’s Sexual Harassment Claims Against Justin Baldoni Dismissed, But Retaliation Case Proceeds

A federal judge in New York has dismissed the sexual harassment claims brought by actor Blake Lively against her It Ends With Us co-star and director, Justin Baldoni. While the ruling removes several major allegations from the legal battle, it leaves the door open for a jury to hear claims of retaliation and breach of contract.

Judge Lewis J. Liman issued a 152-page opinion and order on Thursday, April 2, 2026, granting summary judgment on ten of the thirteen legal claims Lively filed in December 2024. Despite the dismissals, a trial remains scheduled to initiate on May 18.

Why the Sexual Harassment Claims Were Tossed

The dismissal of the sexual harassment claims centered on two primary legal hurdles: employment status and jurisdiction.

Independent Contractor vs. Employee

Judge Liman determined that Blake Lively functioned as an independent contractor rather than an employee. Because of this distinction, the judge ruled that Lively is not entitled to bring sexual harassment claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a law specifically designed to prohibit employment discrimination.

The Context of Performance

In his analysis, the judge addressed specific allegations where Lively claimed Baldoni leaned in to kiss her, rubbed his face and mouth against her neck and flicked her lower lip. While Judge Liman noted that such conduct would typically support a hostile operate environment claim in a corporate or factory setting, he pointed out that Baldoni was “acting in the scene” during the production of the film.

Jurisdictional Issues

the court found a jurisdiction issue regarding California law. Although Lively sued under California statutes, the judge wrote that the alleged misconduct did not actually take place within the state.

What Remains: The Retaliation Battle

While the harassment and defamation claims are gone, the lawsuit is far from over. Judge Liman allowed three claims to proceed to trial: breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting in retaliation.

The remaining legal actions involve several parties:

• Justin Baldoni: Facing claims of retaliation and breach of contract.
• Wayfarer Studios: Baldoni’s production company is named in retaliation claims.
• It Ends With Us Movie LLC: Facing claims for breach of agreement and retaliation.
• The Agency Group PR LLC: Accused of aiding in retaliation by organizing an online campaign to cast Lively in a negative light.

The judge noted that evidence may allow a jury to conclude that Baldoni’s production company attempted to “destroy her career” and damage her reputation due to fears that she would file a discrimination claim. Lively has alleged that this “social manipulation” smear campaign has been devastating to her professional standing.

The Dismissed Counter-Suit

The legal conflict previously saw Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios attempt to flip the script. The pair had countersued Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, for $400 million, alleging extortion and defamation. However, Judge Liman dismissed those claims in June of last year.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the trial date for Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni?

The trial is scheduled to begin on May 18.

Why did the judge dismiss the sexual harassment claims?

The claims were dismissed because Lively was classified as an independent contractor rather than an employee, making her ineligible for Title VII protections. The judge noted the behavior occurred during acting scenes and that there were jurisdictional issues regarding California law.

What is the “smear campaign” mentioned in the lawsuit?

Lively alleges that Baldoni and associated parties, including The Agency Group PR LLC, engaged in a retaliatory “social manipulation” campaign intended to damage her reputation and career.