Judge dismisses most harassment claims in Blake Lively lawsuit against Justin Baldoni

The judge also determined that Lively was ineligible to bring certain federal claims because she functioned more as an independent contractor than an employee on the film set. This classification placed her outside the protections typically afforded to workplace harassment victims under federal law.

Lively's legal team characterized the dismissal of harassment claims as a technicality rather than a vindication of Baldoni's conduct. They emphasized that the actress plans to testify during the upcoming trial and will continue pursuing the retaliation claims that remain active.

The legal dispute emerged from the production of "It Ends with Us," an adaptation of Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel about domestic violence. Despite the behind-the-scenes turmoil, the film exceeded box office expectations with a $50 million opening weekend in August 2024.

Lively alleged that Baldoni engaged in inappropriate behavior on set, including discussions about pornography and sexual encounters, uncomfortable comments, and pressure to include additional nude scenes. She also accused him and his production company Wayfarer Studios of orchestrating online harassment campaigns against her through social media manipulation and planted stories.

The case drew widespread attention when details emerged in a New York Times article published before Lively's lawsuit, revealing text messages and other evidence. The dispute also involved Lively's husband Ryan Reynolds and friend Taylor Swift, whose communications became part of the legal proceedings.

The remaining trial will focus on whether Baldoni and his associates retaliated against Lively for raising complaints about his conduct. This narrower scope represents a dramatic reduction from the original lawsuit's sweeping allegations of harassment, defamation, and coordinated reputation destruction.