Blake Lively vs Justin Baldoni: Legal battle case set for hearing in March 2026; pretrial to commence in February

The lawsuits involving Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni regarding harassment and defamation claims are scheduled for a hearing on March 9, 2026. A pre-trial conference has been set for February 3, 2025. This high-profile legal battle centres around Lively’s accusations against Baldoni, who directed and co-starred in the film It Ends With Us.

Blake Lively VS Justin Baldoni lawsuits get trial date

According to a report by ENews, Lively’s lawsuit alleges that Baldoni sexually harassed her. The period mentioned is during the production of the 2024 adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel. Furthermore, she claims that he hired a crisis PR expert to orchestrate a campaign aimed at damaging her reputation to safeguard his own. The upcoming hearing will not only address Lively’s allegations but will also include Baldoni’s counterclaim. He seeks $400 million in damages, asserting that Lively initiated a smear campaign against him. It attempted to undermine his role as the film’s director.

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The pre-trial conference is on February 3, 2025. It will provide an opportunity for both parties to discuss Lively’s previous request for a gagging order against Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman. It is said to be due to claims of “improper conduct” throughout the legal proceedings.

Baldoni’s libel lawsuit

In a separate legal matter, Baldoni has filed a libel lawsuit against The New York Times. He accused the publication of irresponsible reporting related to Lively’s allegations, including claims of a retaliatory smear campaign. He has firmly denied all accusations, labelling them as “completely false. Also mentions them to be outrageous and intentionally salacious” in a statement released in December through his attorney.

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Lively’s responses

Both Lively and The New York Times have rejected any allegations of wrongdoing. Lively’s legal team characterized Baldoni’s lawsuit as a “desperate” attempt to undermine her credibility.“This is a classic case of DARVO: Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender.” They emphasized that Lively has presented clear evidence of sexual harassment and retaliation, stating that Baldoni is attempting to shift blame onto her.

Similarly, The New York Times defended its reporting, “Our story was meticulously and responsibly reported, based on thousands of pages of original documents, including text messages and emails quoted accurately in the article.” The publication confirmed its intention to vigorously contest Baldoni’s claims.

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These legal proceedings encompass allegations of harassment, defamation, and reputational sabotage. They are poised to garner significant attention. It could have considerable ramifications within the entertainment industry.

Also Read: Blake Lively’s legal team reacts to Justin Baldoni’s VIDEO from It Ends With Us; says, “No consent in advance & no intimacy coordinator present”