Judge Orders In‑Person Lively–Baldoni Settlement Conference for Feb. 11 With Pre‑Set Deadlines

Overview

• Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave set counsel‑only meetings for Jan. 23 in New York, a plaintiff demand due Jan. 28, a defense response due Feb. 4, and an all‑parties conference on Feb. 11.
• The order emphasizes in‑person attendance by both clients and outlines 10–15 minute presentations, optional client remarks, and private sessions that include disclosure of fees and projected litigation costs.
• Reporting describes low expectations for a deal, with both sides continuing preparations for a May 18, 2026 trial in the Southern District of New York.
• Lively’s lawyers filed a new motion for sanctions over alleged deposition misconduct and questions about her sexual history, with Judge Lewis J. Liman set to hear that and a defense summary‑judgment motion on Jan. 22.
• Lively sued in December 2024 alleging sexual harassment and retaliation and is seeking substantial damages, while Baldoni denies wrongdoing and his January countersuit was dismissed in June.