Overview
- U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman granted Jed Wallace’s motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction, tossing Lively’s claims in New York without prejudice to refiling elsewhere.
- Lively’s spokesperson said she is evaluating options to refile against Wallace in a court with jurisdiction and emphasized that the New York trial against Baldoni and other defendants remains scheduled for March 9, 2026.
- Bryan Freedman, counsel for Baldoni and Wallace, praised the jurisdictional ruling and said allegations of a smear campaign are unsupported, adding defendants look forward to trial.
- Judge Liman entered final judgment on October 31 closing Baldoni and Wayfarer’s $400 million defamation countersuit after no amended complaint was filed, though Baldoni’s lawyer says they declined to amend to preserve appeal rights.
- Recent filings from Lively’s team allege the use of encrypted and auto‑deleting communications to conceal evidence, claims the defense disputes as both sides continue contentious discovery.