Judge Dismisses Blake Lively Harassment Claims

Published: 3 April 2026 . The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online—Providing definitive coverage of the legal battles shaping the entertainment industry.

In a significant legal setback for actor and producer Blake Lively, a federal judge in New York has dismissed the majority of her claims in a high-profile harassment lawsuit against her It Ends With Us co-star and director, Justin Baldoni. In a 152-page ruling released late Thursday, 2 April 2026, Judge Lewis J. Liman threw out 10 of the 13 claims filed by Lively, including all allegations of sexual harassment. While the ruling narrows the scope of the upcoming trial, the judge left intact critical claims regarding retaliation and breach of contract, ensuring that the bitter dispute will still reach a jury this spring.

The primary reason for the dismissal of the sexual harassment claims was a technicality regarding Lively’s employment status. Judge Liman determined that because Lively served as both a lead actress and a producer through her own company, she functioned as an independent contractor rather than a traditional employee. Consequently, she was not entitled to bring sexual harassment claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964—a law specifically designed to protect employees from workplace discrimination.

Furthermore, the judge provided a nuanced analysis of the alleged conduct on set, which included claims that Baldoni made inappropriate physical contact and comments during filming:

The “Acting” Context: Lively alleged that Baldoni improvised intimate gestures, such as lingering over her neck and whispering “it smells good.” Judge Liman noted that while such behavior might constitute a hostile work environment in a corporate office, it fell within the “bounds of a creative process” during the filming of a romantic drama.
The “Lace Bra” Comment: The judge did acknowledge evidence of inappropriate behavior, citing an instance where Baldoni allegedly called Lively “pretty hot” when she exposed a lace bra for a scene. When warned, Baldoni reportedly rolled his eyes and joked, “Sorry, I missed the sexual harassment training.“

Despite the dismissal of the harassment charges, the case is far from over. Lively’s claims of retaliation against Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, remain active. Lively alleges that after she raised concerns about on-set safety and conduct, Baldoni orchestrated a “vicious smear campaign” during the film’s 2024 press tour to destroy her reputation and career.

Judge Liman ruled that there was sufficient evidence for a jury to consider whether Wayfarer Studios deliberately took steps to damage Lively’s “untouchable” Hollywood standing in response to her complaints. A third claim regarding a breach of a “contract rider agreement” also survived the ruling.

Attorneys for Justin Baldoni stated they were “very pleased” with the court’s decision to dismiss the “very serious” harassment allegations. Meanwhile, Lively’s legal team, led by Sigrid McCawley, remained defiant, stating that the case “has always been about the devastating retaliation” Lively faced for standing up for herself.

The legal battle has already seen its share of Hollywood drama, including the dismissal of Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, last year. With the trial officially scheduled to begin on 18 May 2026, the industry is bracing for a public airing of the “toxic” dynamics that allegedly plagued one of 2024’s biggest box-office hits.

Lively vs. Baldoni: Legal Status (April 2026)

Claim Type	Status	Judge’s Reasoning
Sexual Harassment	Dismissed	Lively ruled an “Independent Contractor”; conduct tied to “creative process.”
Retaliation	Active	Jury to decide if a “smear campaign” followed safety complaints.
Breach of Contract	Active	Alleged violations of specific producer/actor riders.
Defamation (Baldoni’s)	Dismissed	Judge previously tossed Baldoni’s $400m countersuit in June 2025.