Judge Dismisses 10 of Blake Lively’s 13 Claims Against Justin Baldoni — But the Legal Battle Isn’t Over

A major development has emerged in the legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni over the film It Ends With Us.

A federal judge in New York dismissed 10 of Lively’s 13 claims, including her sexual harassment and defamation claims, significantly narrowing the case.

However, the dispute is far from over.

Judge Lewis Liman ruled that Lively was an independent contractor rather than an employee, meaning her sexual harassment claims could not proceed under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The court also evaluated the alleged conduct in the context of the romantic scenes being filmed.

Several claims involving alleged retaliation and breach of contract were allowed to proceed.

Lively’s legal team stressed that the ruling did not mean every allegation had been disproved. Baldoni’s attorneys welcomed the decision, arguing that the case had been substantially narrowed. The defendants have denied the remaining allegations.

The trial had been scheduled to begin on May 18, 2026, according to the reports.

Despite the significant setback for Lively, the surviving claims mean the legal dispute is not necessarily finished.

The case continues to draw attention as both sides defend their positions in a closely watched Hollywood controversy.

What do you think about the judge’s decision? Does dismissing most of the claims change how you view this case, or should the remaining allegations be considered separately?