The settlement that ended the legal dispute between actors Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively began with an unexpected Friday night phone call from opposing counsel requesting mediation, according to Baldoni's attorney, Bryan Freedman. The agreement allowed Baldoni to publicly discuss court rulings that dismissed many of the claims against him after months of legal scrutiny.
Freedman told Fox News Digital that the settlement resolved a case where Baldoni was initially sued for 15 claims, with two dismissed voluntarily by Lively's team and 10 of the remaining 13 dismissed by the court. The dismissed claims included allegations of sexual harassment and defamation. Freedman emphasized the importance of allowing Baldoni to address the court's rulings, stating that the settlement ensured his client was not financially liable for the remaining claims.
The legal feud began after filming the Colleen Hoover-adapted film, "It Ends With Us." Lively, known for her role in "Gossip Girl," filed a complaint in December 2024 with the California Civil Rights Department and later in federal court. Her allegations included sexual harassment, retaliation, intentional affliction of emotional distress, and negligence against Baldoni and film producer Jamey Heath. Baldoni has maintained that Lively's accusations were false and aimed at repairing her reputation following the fallout from the movie's press tour.