On June 9, 2025, Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed two major lawsuits filed by It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni. The $400 million suit against Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist Leslie Sloane alleged defamation and extortion, while a separate $250 million suit targeted The New York Times for defamation. Both cases were dismissed in full, though the judge allowed Baldoni’s legal team the option to amend certain claims related to breach of implied covenant and tortious interference by June 23.
Court Finds No Malice or Falsehood in Defamation Claims, Defendants Celebrate Legal Win
Judge Liman ruled that the statements made by Lively were included in a legal complaint and therefore privileged. For Reynolds, Sloane, and the Times, the court found Baldoni’s team had not provided sufficient evidence that any allegedly defamatory statements were made with knowledge of falsehood or reckless disregard for the truth, key legal requirements for a defamation claim.
Justin BaldoniAttorneys for Lively, Reynolds, and Sloane celebrated the court’s ruling as a “total victory.” They described Baldoni’s lawsuits as baseless and retaliatory. Lively’s lawyers indicated they would now seek attorneys’ fees and additional damages from Baldoni’s team, calling the litigation abusive. Sloane’s attorney emphasized that her client had been wrongfully implicated and that the court had fully vindicated her.
The New York Times Defends Reporting as Trial Between Stars Still Looms Ahead
In a statement, The New York Times reiterated that its reporting on Lively’s complaint was responsible and of public importance. The newspaper said it viewed the lawsuit as an effort to silence journalism and expressed gratitude that the court upheld legal protections for fair reporting. The original article reported on Lively’s allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation, which Baldoni denies.
Although Lively dropped two claims from her case—intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress—her legal team said the move was procedural, intended to streamline the case. Baldoni’s attorney previously accused her of abusing the legal system to avoid accountability. Despite the recent dismissals, the underlying legal battle between Lively and Baldoni is far from over, with a trial set for March 2026 where both are expected to testify.