Overview
- U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave set an all-parties, in-person settlement conference for Feb. 11 in the Southern District of New York and emphasized that both clients must attend.
- The order requires Blake Lively to make a settlement demand by Jan. 28, 2026, with Justin Baldoni and the Wayfarer defendants to respond by Feb. 4; counsel-only conferences are set for Jan. 23.
- Lively’s lawyers filed new sanctions motions on Dec. 19 alleging deposition misconduct by Baldoni’s attorneys and objecting to questions about her sexual and romantic history under rape-shield protections.
- Baldoni’s bid for summary judgment to dismiss the case is pending, with Judge Lewis J. Liman scheduled to hear argument on Jan. 22 alongside a sanctions matter.
- The trial remains set for May 18, 2026, and reporting indicates limited optimism that the settlement process will result in a deal.