Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Enter Final Settlement Talks Ahead of May Trial
A last-ditch effort to resolve the ongoing legal battle between actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni is underway, with both parties appearing in court on Wednesday, February 11, for a final settlement conference before the scheduled May trial.
The high-profile case, stemming from allegations made during and after the production of the film It Ends With Us, has captivated public attention and drawn in a constellation of celebrity figures. Settlement conferences are standard practice in federal civil litigation, offering a chance to avoid the expense and time commitment of a full trial.
Lively, 38, arrived at the New York City courthouse alone, dressed in a gray suit paired with a pink and white button-down and a green striped cardigan. Baldoni, 41, was accompanied by his wife, Emily, and opted for a green coat and pink scarf, presenting a united front.
The legal dispute began in December 2024 when Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign against her. Baldoni vehemently denied the accusations and filed a countersuit, which was subsequently dismissed by a judge in June 2025.
According to a statement released by Lively’s legal team, Mike Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, on December 22, 2025, Lively “filed a complaint with the California Department of Civil Rights to continue advocating for a safe workplace following the experiences she and others had in the film It Ends With Us.” The statement further alleged a “billionaire-funded effort to attempt to ‘bury’ her, her family and her businesses through retaliatory lawsuits and a relentless media and digital campaign.” Lively’s lawyers asserted that with the dismissal of the retaliatory lawsuits, she is “more determined than ever to shine a light on the forces operating behind the scenes to silence and discredit women who come forward.”
Baldoni’s legal counsel, Bryan Freedman, expressed confidence in their client’s position, stating that they are “deeply grateful for the support and kind words” received and believe “the truth will ultimately prevail.”
Prior to the current settlement talks, Judge Lewis J. Liman had ordered both sides to engage in discussions with a magistrate to explore a potential agreement. This recommendation came after the judge revealed in December 2025 that two criminal trials would take precedence over the civil case.
The legal proceedings have already brought a significant amount of private information into the public sphere. Hundreds of documents, including text messages and emails involving celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Ryan Reynolds, Jenny Slate, Isabela Ferrer, and Ben Affleck, have been released as evidence. On January 22, Baldoni’s legal team appeared in court to request the dismissal of Lively’s lawsuit, but Judge Liman has yet to issue a ruling on that motion.
As the May trial looms, the outcome of these final settlement talks remains uncertain. The case continues to raise important questions about workplace safety, power dynamics, and the challenges faced by individuals who come forward with allegations of misconduct.
