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Justin Baldoni's lead attorney has broken his silence on this week's major win in the Blake Lively lawsuit.
On Thursday Judge Lewis Liman ruled to throw out 10 of Lively's 13 claims that Baldoni sexually harassed her on the set of their 2024 film, It Ends With Us.
The actress had three main issues with Baldoni when they were shooting the film: that he kissed her during a scene when he wasn't scripted to, that he walked in on her when she was breastfeeding and that he showed her a video of his wife giving birth.
On Friday, Baldoni's high-powered lead attorney Bryan Freedman told TMZ that he was happy the judge made the move.
'Since the first day of this case, when Justin and the other defendants were blindsided by these allegations, the legal team on the ground from the beginning have worked extremely long days and nights defending this case through transparency by releasing the actual truthful text messages, and by welcoming and facilitating the release of all documents exhibiting the truth,' Freedman said.
The attorney continued, 'The defendants were not afraid of the truth. The plan was not only to speak the truth but to also show that same truth over and over again through the presentation of actual evidence.
'Neither Justin Baldoni, Jamey Heath nor any of the other defendants have engaged in the sexual harassment of Blake Lively.'
Justin Baldoni's lead attorney has broken his silence on this week's major win in the Blake Lively lawsuit. On Thursday judge Judge Lewis Liman ruled to throw out 10 of Lively's 13 claims that Baldoni sexually harassed her on the set of It Ends With Us. Baldoni seen in February
On Friday, Baldoni's high-powered lead attorney Bryan Freedman said that he was happy the judge made the move as he and his team have been working hard on the lawsuit. Seen in May
He added, 'Despite our clients being accused of DARVO (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender) in defending these claims and despite our client being referred to in writing as a predator, what I said, on behalf of our client's day one and every day since then is true.
'Our clients are very good people who have not engaged in this sexual harassment as alleged. As such, they have deserved a vigorous defense which was led through transparency.'
The attorney finished his statement by saying, 'It is gratifying to see that the court's ruling confirms what the legal team believed from day one.'
Meanwhile, Baldoni's supporting attorneys, Alexandra Shapiro and Jonathan Bach, told The Daily Mail: '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.
'What's left is a significantly narrowed case, and we look forward to presenting our defense to the remaining claims in court.'
The actress had three main issues with Baldoni when they were shooting the film: that he kissed her during a scene when he wasn't scripted to, that he walked in on her when she was breastfeeding and that he showed her a video of his wife giving birth; seen in It Ends With Us
The trial is still scheduled to proceed May 18 in New York City, but now Lively's case is dramatically thinner.
Lively's attorney Sigrid McCawley also spoke to The Daily Mail.
'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 said.
'For Blake Lively, 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.
'She 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.'
The ruling has left Lively with just three remaining claims to pursue: breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting retaliation.
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Lively's attorney Sigrid McCawley also spoke to The Daily Mail; the actress seen leaving a NYC court in February
'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 said; Lively seen in December
The latest news in the case comes as the contentious legal battle between Lively and Baldoni has gone on more than a year.
In December of 2024, Lively named Baldoni in a lawsuit accusing him of sexual harassment, retaliatory conduct, and intentional infliction of emotional stress.
In her lawsuit, the actress accused Baldoni of sexually harassing her in multiple ways - including body shaming her - and orchestrating a smear campaign against her to damage her reputation.
In her lawsuit, Lively named a number of Baldoni's collaborators, including his company Wayfarer Studios, the studio's CEO and financial backer, and PR personnel.
Baldoni had initially asked for $250 million in damages from The New York Times, mentioning a report it published on the topic that he claimed was defamatory, then added it to the $400 million lawsuit he filed this past January.
It Ends with Us earned $148 million in domestic box office and $350 million globally - but whatever goodwill the film garnered has since been overshadowed by the allegations made by its stars.
The motion picture, which also starred Jenny Slate, Hasan Minhaj, Brandon Sklenar and Kevin McKidd, was based on the 2016 novel by Colleen Hoover.
The storyline of the film centered around a toxic relationship between Lily Bloom (played by Lively) and Ryle Kincaid (Baldoni).
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