Overview

• Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed Baldoni’s defamation actions by Wayfarer Studios, vacating his $400 million countersuit against Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds and publicist Leslie Sloane as well as a $250 million libel suit against the New York Times.
• The decision found that Lively’s allegations of sexual harassment made in her California Civil Rights Department complaint are shielded by litigation privilege and immune from defamation claims.
• Baldoni’s legal team has the option to amend and refile specific counts of tortious interference with contract and breach of implied covenant by the June 23 deadline.
• Lively’s attorneys described the ruling as a complete vindication and intend to pursue attorneys’ fees, treble damages and punitive damages in the next phase of litigation.
• A separate trial on Blake Lively’s sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit against Baldoni is scheduled to begin in March 2026.