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Judge Throws Out Key Claims in Blake Lively's Lawsuit
13 Apr
Summary
- Judge Liman dismissed most of Lively's claims on April 2, 2026.
- Allegations of sexual harassment and defamation were rejected.
- Lively cannot pursue sexual harassment claims as an independent contractor.
On April 2, 2026, a federal judge, Lewis Liman, significantly altered the legal proceedings involving Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. Judge Liman dismissed ten out of thirteen claims filed by Lively against Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios. These dismissed claims encompassed core allegations of sexual harassment, defamation, and conspiracy.
The judge's ruling stated that Blake Lively was classified as an independent contractor, not an employee. This distinction means she cannot pursue sexual harassment claims under specific federal civil rights laws. Furthermore, the court clarified that Justin Baldoni is not liable for the remaining claims.
This legal battle originated when Lively filed a complaint against Baldoni in December 2024, following their collaboration on the film 'It Ends With Us.' Her initial accusations included sexual harassment, breach of contract, and emotional distress.
