Kamal Ghorui
In the latest on the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni legal battle, the lawyers of the two ‘It Ends With Us’ stars have reportedly been summoned for settlement talks. This update comed hours after the actress suffered a huge blow after a US judge dismissed 10 of 13 claims, including that of sexual harassment.
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni summoned for ‘settlement’
As per the Daily Mail, the lawyers of the two actors have been unexpectedly called to discuss their clients’ latest openness to settling their case, before it goes to trial. Both sides have been told they should address ‘their client’s updated settlement position’. The attorneys have reportedly been directed to call US Magistrate Judge Sarah Cave on Monday in separate sessions, which will not be allowed for a public hearing. Lively’s lawyers will reportedly be up first at 3pm, while Baldoni and his company Wayfarer Productions will get their time an hour later.
Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively fail to reach settlement
Settlement talks between Blake and Justin that were held mid-February, went on for several hours, however, it proved to be futile with both sides ready to go to trial. It remains to be seen if Monday’s discussions are different, considering that Manhattan federal judge Lewis Liman also dismissed ‘defamation and conspiracy’ claims brought by Lively, but allowed her claims of ‘retaliation and breach of contract’ against Baldoni to stand. Their civil trial has been set for May 18.
Justin Baldoni’s attorney issues statement
Baldoni’s lead attorney, Bryan Freedman broke his silence on the major win in the lawsuit. Speaking to TMZ, he shared, “It is gratifying to see that the court’s ruling confirms what the legal team believed from day one.”His statement read, “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.”‘Neither Justin Baldoni, Jamey Heath nor any of the other defendants have engaged in the sexual harassment of Blake Lively,’ he reiterated and added that despite his clients being accused of DARVO (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender) and being referred to as “a predator” Freedman added, “Our clients are very good people who have not engaged in this sexual harassment as alleged. As such, they have deserved a vigorous defence, which was led through transparency.“
Justin Baldoni’s legal team ready to go to trial
Supporting attorneys, Alexandra Shapiro and Jonathan Bach also expressed their happiness over the big win. In a statement to The Daily Mail, they said, “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.“Sharing their resolve to take the matter to trial, they shared, “What’s left is a significantly narrowed case, and we look forward to presenting our defense to the remaining claims in court.”
Blake Lively’s legal team reacts
Despite the judge dismissing all the ‘sexual harassment’ claims, Lively’s attorney Michael Gottlieb insisted that her allegations remain “the beating heart of Ms Lively’s case. They are why she filed her lawsuit.”As per Gottlieb’s statement shared with PEOPLE, he said, “The court held that Ms Lively’s sexual harassment claims could not go to a jury because Ms Lively did not sign a contract, that she is an independent contractor instead of an employee, and that the offensive conduct occurred in New Jersey instead of California.”
About the lawsuit
Lively had filed a complaint against Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath for allegedly inappropriate behaviour and comments during the shooting of the romantic drama ‘It Ends with Us’.The complaint said Baldoni – who also directed the film – had spoken inappropriately about his sex life and sought to alter the film to include sex scenes that were not in the script and had not been agreed to. Baldoni and the studio Wayfarer countersued Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds with claims of extortion and defamation, but judge Liman dismissed those claims last year.It also said Heath had watched Lively while she was topless, despite having been asked to turn away. It further said Baldoni waged a PR campaign to wreck Lively’s reputation. Wayfarer previously insisted that neither the studio, its executives, nor its PR team did anything to retaliate against Lively.
