Overview

• On June 9, U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman granted motions to dismiss Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit against Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and Leslie Sloane along with his $250 million libel claim against The New York Times
• The court ruled that Lively’s December complaint alleging sexual harassment was privileged under litigation protections and therefore shielded from defamation claims
• Baldoni’s team failed to demonstrate that Reynolds, Sloane or the Times harbored serious doubts about Lively’s allegations, a key requirement for defamation liability
• While the judge dismissed Baldoni’s extortion and defamation causes of action with prejudice, he allowed him until June 23 to file an amended complaint on breach of implied covenant and tortious interference claims
• Lively’s attorneys celebrated the ruling as a “total victory and complete vindication” and are preparing to seek attorneys’ fees, treble damages and punitive damages