The high-profile legal feud between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, stemming from their collaboration on It Ends With Us, has taken a dramatic new turn. According to court documents revealed in early June 2025, Lively is seeking to withdraw two key emotional distress claims—but not without controversy.
What Are the Claims Being Dropped?
Blake Lively’s original lawsuit, filed in December 2024, included accusations of:
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Sexual harassment
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Retaliation
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Body shaming
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Emotional manipulation
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A smear campaign allegedly orchestrated by Baldoni and his team to damage her public image
Among those, her 10th and 11th causes of action were for intentional infliction of emotional distress (IED) and negligent infliction of emotional distress (NIED). It’s these two claims that she now appears to be withdrawing, though not without stipulations.
Why Blake Is Backing Off the Emotional Distress Claims — For Now
According to a June 2025 filing from Baldoni’s legal team, Lively’s attorneys informed them that she would be dropping the emotional distress claims. However, she is only willing to do so without prejudice—meaning she reserves the right to refile them later.
Baldoni’s lawyers insist this is unacceptable. They argue that if Lively refuses to allow access to her medical and therapy records—which are standard in emotional distress cases—then the claims must be dismissed with prejudice to prevent her from bringing them back once discovery is over.
“Ms. Lively wants to simultaneously: (a) refuse to disclose the information and documents needed to disprove that she suffered any emotional distress… and (b) maintain the right to re-file her IED Claims,” the filing states.
HIPAA Battle: The Medical Records Dispute
At the heart of this skirmish is a HIPAA authorization request. Baldoni’s legal team is demanding access to Lively’s mental health records to properly defend against the distress allegations. Lively has declined, opting to drop the claims instead—but wants to keep her legal options open.
Baldoni’s camp isn’t having it.
“If Ms. Lively wants to withdraw her frivolous IED Claims, the Wayfarer Parties are entitled to a dismissal with prejudice,” the filing states.
Blake Lively’s Legal Team Fires Back
In a strongly worded statement to JustJared.com, Lively’s lawyers — Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb — criticized the opposing side for weaponizing standard legal procedure for media attention.
“Once again this is a routine part of the litigation process that is being used as a press stunt,” they said.
“We are preparing our case for trial; they are desperately seeking tabloid coverage.”
They also emphasized that emotional distress remains part of other claims, including sexual harassment and retaliation, and that Lively is still seeking substantial compensatory damages.
Will Blake Lively Refile the Emotional Distress Claims Later?
It’s unclear whether Lively plans to amend her complaint to formally remove the emotional distress claims or keep them in limbo. Since she hasn’t agreed to drop them with prejudice, Baldoni’s team continues to pressure the court to enforce disclosure—or dismiss the claims outright.
What’s Next in This Legal Saga?
With a trial date scheduled for March 9, 2026, both parties are navigating a long and contentious legal road. Given the ongoing accusations, filings, and media scrutiny, more developments are likely in the months ahead.
