2 weeks Ago By Kathleen O'Boyle
Blake Lively has accused Justin Baldoni and his team of trying to silence her and other victims, claiming they’re attempting to “shred” legal protections for women speaking out about harassment. On Friday, April 4, Lively’s attorneys Mike Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, issued a firm response after Baldoni filed opposition to her request to dismiss his $400 million lawsuit. “Baldoni, [Steve] Sarowitz and the rest of the Wayfarer Parties are now arguing that nobody should be protected by the sexual harassment privilege,” her lawyers wrote.
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“That’s right: Justin Baldoni, the man who has built his brand on supposedly speaking up for victims, believes that the First Amendment rights of victims of sexual assault and harassment to speak out should give way to the rights of perpetrators to sue their victims ‘into oblivion.’” Lively’s team accused Baldoni, 41, and his colleagues of trying to “bury” her. “They are so hell bent on trying to destroy Blake Lively that they are willing to shred a law designed to protect all victims just to make sure they ‘bury’ one,” the statement read.
The back-and-forth stems from Lively’s December 2024 claims that Baldoni created a “hostile work environment” during their time working together on It Ends With Us . She alleged sexual harassment and said the experience caused her “severe emotional distress.” Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, called her allegations “completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious.
” In January, Wayfarer Studios, where Baldoni is a co-founder, sued Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds , and publicist Leslie Sloane for $400 million. The suit includes claims of defamation, civil extortion, and invasion of privacy. DON'T MISS: Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds 'should've left' SNL 50 after being 'avoided' [LATEST] Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds 'resume life to normal' with Chevy Chase selfie [INSIGHT] Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds 'awkward and stiff' at SNL 50 special says expert [UPDATE] Freedman pushed back strongly on April 3.
“Ms. Lively and her circle of Hollywood elites cannot prevent my clients from exercising their constitutional right to petition the court to clear their names from her false and harmful claims,” he said. He continued: “What Ms.
Lively is attempting to do is to set a dangerous precedent by barring the courthouse doors to my clients and punishing them for having their day in court, a right protected by the First Amendment.” The legal team also responded to Reynolds ’ request for dismissal, calling him a “co-conspirator” and referencing a recent tongue-in-cheek quote in which he said he drinks the “blood” of his “enemies.” A spokesperson for Reynolds dismissed the argument.
“They once again claim defamation without alleging who was defamed, what specifically was said, or how anyone suffered actual harm,” they said. “Unlike Mr. Baldoni , who built his brand pretending to be a man who is ‘confident enough to listen’ to the women in his life,” the statement added: “Ryan Reynolds actually is that man and he will continue to support his wife as she stands up to the individuals who not only harassed her but then have retaliated against her.
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