Blake Lively’s Sexual Harassment Claims Against Justin Baldoni Tossed by Judge

Blake Lively is suffering a major blow in her lawsuit against “It Ends with Us” co-star and director Justin Baldoni.

Lively’s sexual harassment claims against Baldoni have been tossed by Judge Lewis Liman.

Liman ruled against 10 of Lively’s claims, including sexual harassment, defamation, and conspiracy.

According to Liman, Lively can’t file a harassment claim under a California Labor Law when the filming of the movie happened in New Jersey.

He also argued that Lively can’t file a sexual harassment claim under federal law since she was an independent contractor.

However, three of the claims, including breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting in retaliation, still stand, so the trial will proceed on May 18.

Lively has accused Baldoni of being involved in a smear campaign to ruin her reputation as a form of retaliation. 

Baldoni has denied any wrongdoing. 

In response to the judge's dismissal, Lively's lawyer Sigrid McCawley told Page Six, "This case has always been and will remain focused on the devastating retaliation and the extraordinary steps the defendants took to destroy Blake Lively’s reputation because she stood up for safety on the set and that is the case that is going to trial."

McCawley added, “The greatest measure of justice is that the people and the playbook behind these coordinated digital attacks have been exposed and are already being held accountable by other women they’ve targeted."

According to McCawley, Lively “looks forward to testifying at trial and continuing to shine a light on this vicious form of online retaliation so that it becomes easier to detect and fight.”

"Sexual harassment isn’t going forward not because the defendants did nothing wrong but because the court determined Blake Lively was an independent contractor, not an employee," McCawley emphasized.

Justin's lawyers Alexandra Shapiro and Jonathan Bach also spoke out, telling "Extra," "We’re very pleased the Court dismissed all sexual harassment claims and every claim brought against the individual defendants: Justin Baldoni, Jamey Heath, Steve Sarowitz, Melissa Nathan, and Jennifer Abel."

"These were very serious allegations, and we are grateful to the Court for its careful review of the facts, law and voluminous evidence that was provided," Baldoni's legal team continued. "What’s left is a significantly narrowed case, and we look forward to presenting our defense to the remaining claims in court.”

“Extra” spoke with ABC News legal contributor and attorney Brian Buckmire, who explained how Blake could still add more claims against Baldoni before the trial begins next month.

The host of the Webby-nominated podcast “Bad Rap: The Case Against Diddy” said, “A lot of these claims are dismissed by what the average layperson would say is a technicality, right? Some claims are dismissed for what’s called jurisdictional issues. So, there is a possibility that Blake Lively could file the case again using a different state’s law.”

The “It Ends with Us” battle started in December 2024, when Lively filed a legal complaint with the California Civil Rights Department claiming Baldoni sexually harassed her on set.

Two months later, she also accused him of defamation. Baldoni has denied all of Lively's allegations. 

He then filed the $400-million lawsuit against Blake and her husband Ryan Reynolds that has been officially dismissed.