Overview

• The court threw out Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit targeting Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds and publicist Leslie Sloane for defamation and extortion.
• Judge Liman also dismissed Baldoni’s separate $250 million defamation claim against The New York Times under the fair-report privilege.
• The ruling held that statements in Lively’s December 2024 California Civil Rights Department complaint are protected from legal challenge.
• Baldoni’s team has until June 23 to amend and refile narrow claims for breach of implied covenant and tortious interference with contract.
• Lively’s own sexual harassment lawsuit against Baldoni remains pending, with a federal trial set for March 9, 2026.