Full Breakdown
Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni: Pretrial Battle Over Retaliation Claims and Damages
4/30/2026, 12:17:36 AM
Pretrial Hearing Highlights the Core Dispute
On April 28 2026, U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman presided over a three-hour pretrial conference in Manhattan federal court. The hearing centered on the retaliation claim that Blake Lively alleges arose after she reported on-set sexual-harassment concerns during the 2024 film *It Ends With Us*. Both parties argued over the admissibility of expert testimony and the magnitude of the financial losses Lively attributes to the alleged “smear campaign.”
Background & Legal Context
Lively filed a civil complaint in December 2024, accusing co-star and director Justin Baldoni of creating a hostile work environment and retaliating through a coordinated online campaign. On April 2 2026, Judge Liman dismissed ten of the thirteen claims, including all sexual-harassment allegations, leaving only breach-of-contract, retaliation, and aiding-and-abetting claims for trial. The case now proceeds to a jury trial scheduled for May 18 2026.
Key Parties and Legal Teams
- Blake Lively – Actress, owner of the Blake Brown hair-care line and the Betty Booze beverage brand.
- Justin Baldoni – Actor, director of *It Ends With Us*, and principal of Wayfarer Studios.
- Amir Kaltgrad – Attorney for Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios.
- Naeun Rim – Attorney for Lively.
- Fabien Thayamballi – Baldoni attorney who referenced the timing of negative online comments.
- Judge Lewis J. Liman – Presiding judge overseeing pretrial matters.
Timeline of Major Developments
- Dec 2024 – Lively files lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and retaliation.
- Apr 2 2026 – Judge Liman dismisses 10 of 13 claims, retains retaliation claim.
- Apr 28 2026 – Pretrial conference addresses expert testimony and damages calculations.
- May 18 2026 – Jury trial slated to begin.
Financial Claims and Disputed Figures
Lively’s counsel seeks more than $200 million in damages, citing:
- $35 million allegedly lost from a cancelled sequel or prequel.
- Projected losses of $39.6 million to $143.5 million from the Blake Brown hair-care launch and Betty Booze beverage line after a surge of negative comments in early August 2024.
- Expert projections of $132 million to $230 million in future earnings, contributing to a total claim of up to $300 million.
Baldoni’s team characterizes these amounts as “pie-in-the-sky” and argues that Lively’s prior business performance does not support such projections.
Official Statements & Responses
Lively’s attorneys argue that the online backlash directly erased the investment in the Target-record hair-care launch and disrupted brand partnerships. Baldoni’s lawyers counter that the negative comments coincided with the film’s release, that Lively’s brands had previously struggled, and that any financial impact cannot be causally linked to Baldoni’s actions. The defense also highlighted Lively’s past public controversies, including a criticized social-media post about Princess Catherine, as evidence of pre-existing reputational challenges.
Criticism & Opposition
Baldoni’s counsel emphasized Lively’s “track record of brands that have not succeeded,” suggesting that the alleged damages stem from broader business missteps rather than retaliation. The defense further asserted that Lively’s alleged “smear campaign” is unsubstantiated and that the projected earnings exceed what her recent film work justifies.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the size of the alleged loss: Lively’s experts cite a range of $39.6 million–$143.5 million, while other expert testimony projects $132 million–$230 million in future earnings. No party has yet provided definitive evidence linking the online comments to the specific financial shortfalls, and the court has not ruled on the admissibility of the proposed expert witnesses.
Verbatim Quotes
- “There was no way they were going to work together,” — Amir Kaltgrad, attorney for Justin Baldoni
- “We have here an actress with a twenty-year track record of starring in major productions,” — Naeun Rim, attorney for Blake Lively
- “It was the biggest hair-care launch in Target history,” — Naeun Rim, attorney for Blake Lively
- “These are not the kind of earnings she has ever seen in the past,” — Amir Kaltgrad, attorney for Justin Baldoni
- “Ms. Lively has a track record of brands that have not succeeded,” — Amir Kaltgrad, attorney for Justin Baldoni
- “she is seeking pie-in-the-sky damages here.” — Amir Kaltgrad, attorney for Justin Baldoni
What’s Next
Judge Liman has scheduled a follow-up hearing to address the availability of the expert witnesses identified by both sides. The jury trial is set to commence on May 18 2026, where the court will ultimately decide whether the alleged retaliation caused the claimed financial harms.
