Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni are once again locked in a legal standoff, this time surrounding claims of emotional distress stemming from Lively’s December 31, 2024 lawsuit. The suit, filed in federal court, names Baldoni, his Wayfarer Studios, and several top executives as defendants.
Background: What Sparked the Lawsuit?
The legal conflict began after Lively filed a sexual harassment and retaliation complaint with California’s Civil Rights Department against Baldoni and others, including Melissa Nathan, Jennifer Abel, billionaire Steve Sarowitz, and CEO Jamey Heath.
Soon after, the case escalated into multiple lawsuits from both sides. Baldoni filed his own counterclaims, with the total legal stakes now reportedly exceeding $400 million. A trial date has been set for March 9, 2026.
New Dispute Over Medical Records and Emotional Distress Claims
The most recent development revolves around Lively’s 10th and 11th Causes of Action, which allege intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress. According to a letter sent Monday to Judge Lewis J. Liman by Baldoni’s attorney Kevin Fitz, Lively recently indicated that she is withdrawing these specific claims—but with conditions.
Fitz argues that Lively’s team made this move to avoid disclosing sensitive medical and mental health records. The Wayfarer team had requested that Lively:
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Identify her medical and mental health providers
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Produce her medical records
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Sign HIPAA authorizations for release of those records
Baldoni’s Legal Team: “Dismiss With Prejudice or Comply”
Baldoni’s attorneys insist that if Lively wants to drop the claims, they must be dismissed with prejudice, which would prevent her from re-filing them later.
“If Ms. Lively is unwilling to stipulate to the dismissal of her IED claims with prejudice, then she must produce her medical documents,” Fitz wrote, urging the court to compel Lively to comply.
Lively’s Attorneys Call It a Publicity Stunt
In response, Lively’s attorneys — Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb — accuse Baldoni’s team of turning a routine legal process into a tabloid spectacle.
“We are doing what trial lawyers do: streamlining the case. They are seeking another tired round of tabloid coverage,” Lively’s lawyers stated, alluding to prior PR tactics including a now-withdrawn Taylor Swift subpoena.
They clarified that while the emotional distress claims under those specific causes of action may be dropped, Lively still alleges emotional distress as part of other core claims, such as sexual harassment and retaliation, which are still in the case.
What’s Next in the Legal Drama?
It remains unclear whether Lively plans to formally amend her complaint to remove the two emotional distress claims or whether she’ll reframe them under other legal categories. Given the complexity of the case and ongoing back-and-forth, more legal filings and public statements are expected in the lead-up to the 2026 trial.
