The legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni recently got an update with the two arriving at the U.S. District Court in Manhattan on Wednesday morning for what may be their last chance to avoid a massive federal trial in May as a part of their lawsuit. Their court‑ordered settlement conference is the most significant development yet. Now, they are in a legal fight that has gone on for more than two years and dragged major Hollywood names into the case.
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni attend settlement conference as May trial looms
Matching outfits, different intentions
Even after two years, Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s lawsuit has not concluded, and the two stars continue their legal battle. Lively and Baldoni arrived separately for the closed‑door session, with Lively wearing an olive suit layered with a button‑up and a green cardigan, and carrying a matching green bag.
Meanwhile, Baldoni wore a green overcoat and a pink scarf, walking hand‑in‑hand with his wife, Emily Baldoni, as they approached the courthouse. The outfits might have somehow matched by coincidence, but the mood outside the building was far from coordinated.
Why are they here?
The session, overseen by U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave, marks the first time the pair have faced each other directly in court since the case began. The judge has pressed both sides to settle before the May 18 trial. Besides, she warned that the public scrutiny around the case — which began in 2024 — will only grow if it proceeds.
How did the lawsuit get this big?
The conflict erupted months after “It Ends With Us” premiered without the usual joint press appearances expected between its romantic leads — and at the time, fans speculated about a feud, unaware of what was unfolding beneath the surface. In December 2024, Lively filed a complaint accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and of launching a “smear campaign” during the film’s release. In November, Variety reported that Lively estimated her losses at more than $161 million, and amended filings projected total damages closer to $500 million.
Baldoni denied the allegations and countersued in January 2025. As per Page Six, Baldoni accused Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, of extortion and defamation, seeking $400 million in damages. However, that claim was dismissed when a judge ruled that allegations made in legal filings cannot be the basis for a defamation suit.
Despite the dismissal, tensions escalated throughout 2025 and into 2026 as private texts, emails, and voice memos became part of the case record, including the revelation that Lively’s longtime friend and collaborator, Taylor Swift, would be called as a hostile witness by Baldoni if the trial moves forward. Public records revealed that Swift and Lively texted a lot about Baldoni during the film’s press period.
What to expect now?
Judge Lewis J. Liman, who will preside over the trial, has not yet ruled on Baldoni’s request for summary judgment. Unless the parties reach an agreement, both will head to a public courtroom in May for one of the most high‑profile Hollywood trials in recent years — but right now, the settlement conference stands as a final attempt to stop the spiral. As Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni walked into the courthouse, it was clear that neither side showed any signs of backing down.
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