Blake Lively is refuting claims that she has dropped her emotional distress allegations against It Ends With Us director and co-star Justin Baldoni, despite statements from his legal team and email exchanges indicating otherwise.
The dispute centres on her 10th and 11th causes of action, related to intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, filed in her December 31 lawsuit.
In a letter to Judge Lewis J. Liman, Baldoni's lawyer Kevin Fitz of Meister Seelig & Fein stated, “Ms. Lively’s counsel recently advised us, in writing, that Ms. Lively is withdrawing her IED Claims.” The claims are linked to a broader request by Baldoni’s team for medical and mental health records, including HIPAA authorisations.
Lively’s team responded firmly, rejecting this as a misrepresentation. Her attorneys, Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, said, “This is a routine part of the litigation process that is being used as a press stunt,” adding that Lively “continues to allege emotional distress” through other claims, including sexual harassment and retaliation.
Baldoni’s lawyers argue that Lively must either dismiss the emotional distress claims with prejudice—preventing refiling—or comply with discovery requests. “She can’t have it both ways,” Fitz asserted, asking the court to compel Lively to produce medical documentation.
Lively’s legal team has not confirmed whether an amended complaint is forthcoming. They maintain her core claims and potential for further damages remain active and substantial under California law.
With a trial date set for March 9 2026 and damages exceeding $400 million at stake, the legal back-and-forth continues to unfold.
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