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Justin Baldoni Seeks Summary Judgment to End Blake Lively Lawsuit Before Trial

The filing argues the dispute concerns reputations rather than legally actionable misconduct.

Overview

  • Baldoni and multiple co-defendants filed a 73-page motion in Manhattan federal court asserting that "no reasonable juror" could find Lively’s allegations amount to sexual harassment or retaliation.
  • The defense simultaneously sought time to address sealing of exhibits, and newly disclosed materials include a deleted-scene clip they say shows Lively improvising an unscripted kiss.
  • Lively’s recent unsealed filing seeks roughly $161.2 million in damages for lost earnings, business profits and reputational harm, which Baldoni’s team calls speculative and unsupported.
  • Defense filings argue Lively was an independent contractor rather than an employee, challenging her ability to bring certain civil-rights claims.
  • A separate defamation suit against Lively by Texas-based PR consultant Jed Wallace was dismissed for lack of jurisdiction, and the court has not ruled on the new summary-judgment or sealing requests as the March 2026 trial date stands.