Blake Lively’s Lawsuit Against Justin Baldoni: Judge Dismisses Sexual Harassment Claims, Retaliation Case Moves Forward

The legal battle surrounding the production of It Ends With Us has reached a pivotal turning point. In a significant ruling issued on April 2, 2026, federal judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed the majority of actress Blake Lively’s legal claims against her co-star and director, Justin Baldoni. While the ruling provides a major victory for Baldoni personally, the litigation is far from over, as claims of retaliation and breach of contract are still headed for trial.

The Ruling: What Was Dismissed and Why

Judge Lewis J. Liman delivered a 152-page opinion that effectively stripped the lawsuit of its most explosive allegations. Out of the 13 original claims filed by Lively, 10 were tossed out, including those centered on sexual harassment and defamation. CNN reports that the sexual harassment claims were dismissed due to a jurisdictional issue; although Lively sued under California law, the judge determined the alleged misconduct did not occur within that state.

some claims were nixed due to legal technicalities regarding Lively’s employment status. The court noted that Lively was considered an independent contractor rather than an employee, which impacted the viability of certain workplace harassment claims.

The Remaining Claims: Who is Still Involved?

Despite the dismissals, the case is not entirely closed. Three specific claims have been allowed to proceed to a jury: retaliation, aiding and abetting retaliation, and breach of contract. The New York Times confirms that the retaliation claim against Baldoni’s production company will be brought before a jury.

Crucially, Justin Baldoni himself is no longer a defendant in any of the remaining claims. The legal focus has shifted toward the corporate entities involved in the film’s production and promotion. The remaining defendants include:

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

Timeline and Case Background

The legal dispute, filed under case number 1:24-cv-10049, began on December 31, 2024. Lively’s original complaint alleged that Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios CEO Jamey Heath engaged in inappropriate workplace behavior and subsequently orchestrated a “social manipulation” smear campaign to retaliate against her for speaking up. Baldoni has consistently denied these allegations.

What Happens Next?

With the summary judgment partially granted and partially denied, the case moves toward a trial phase. While the removal of personal claims against Baldoni significantly alters the landscape of the lawsuit, the remaining corporate claims regarding retaliation and contract breaches will determine if Wayfarer Studios and its partners are liable for the alleged smear campaign. USA Today notes that a trial was originally scheduled to begin on May 18, though the current rulings may impact the final proceedings.