Hollywood legal battles usually stay behind closed doors until someone stops getting paid. But the war between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has been anything but quiet. If you’ve been following the It Ends With Us drama, you know it’s moved way past "creative differences." It's now a full-blown federal case.
Honestly, the latest move from the Lively camp is what has everyone talking. Just this week, in mid-January 2026, the actress shook up her legal strategy by bringing in a heavy hitter. We’re talking about Sigrid McCawley, the powerhouse attorney famous for representing survivors of Jeffrey Epstein.
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Why the Blake Lively Lawyer Choice Matters Right Now
Adding McCawley to a team that already includes high-profile litigators like Michael J. Gottlieb and Esra Hudson isn't just about winning in court. It's about the narrative. Gottlieb, a partner at Willkie Farr & Gallagher, has been the face of Lively’s legal push since she filed her initial complaint in December 2024.
McCawley’s role is reportedly specific: she’s handling "public-facing communications." Basically, she’s there to make sure the world sees this case as a fight against a hostile work environment rather than just two famous people bickering over an edit.
Lively’s lawsuit alleges some pretty serious stuff:
- Sexual harassment on the set of It Ends With Us.
- A retaliatory smear campaign orchestrated by Baldoni’s team.
- Intentional affliction of emotional distress.
On the other side, Baldoni isn't backing down. He’s got Bryan Freedman—the guy you call when your career is on the line—and Alexandra Shapiro. If those names sound familiar, it's because Freedman has repped everyone from Julia Roberts to Tucker Carlson, and Shapiro recently handled high-stakes defense for Sean "Diddy" Combs.
The $400 Million Counter-Strike
Baldoni’s defense strategy has been aggressive. He didn't just deny the claims; he countersued Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, for a staggering $400 million. He claims they tried to hijack the film and destroy his reputation.
Interestingly, a judge tossed that countersuit in June 2025, but the legal fire didn't go out. Baldoni’s team has been releasing "receipts," including unedited footage from the film set. They claim the video shows a collaborative, lighthearted environment. Lively’s lawyers, however, say the exact same footage proves Baldoni was "caressing" her and making inappropriate comments without an intimacy coordinator present.
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It’s a classic "he said, she said," but with millions of dollars and Tier-1 legal fees on the line.
What’s Coming in 2026?
We’re heading toward a massive showdown. A critical hearing is set for January 22, 2026, where the judge will decide on Baldoni’s motion for summary judgment. This is basically the "is there even a case here?" moment. If the judge doesn't toss it, we are looking at a trial start date of May 18, 2026.
Lively has already confirmed through her lawyers that she plans to take the stand. That’s huge. It means she’s willing to be cross-examined by Baldoni’s team in open court.
Key Players in the Courtroom
| Name | Role | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Sigrid McCawley | Lively's PR/Legal Counsel | Representing Virginia Giuffre in the Epstein cases. |
| Michael J. Gottlieb | Lively's Lead Attorney | Former White House associate counsel. |
| Bryan Freedman | Baldoni's Lead Attorney | Hollywood "pitbull" litigator. |
| Alexandra Shapiro | Baldoni's Defense Counsel | Appellate expert; repped Sam Bankman-Fried and Diddy. |
The Truth About the "Gag Order"
There’s been a lot of noise about a gag order. Lively’s team actually requested one because they were tired of Baldoni’s lawyers talking to the press and releasing documents on a dedicated website.
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Judge Lewis Liman didn't give them exactly what they wanted. He issued a "modified" order. It protects confidential business data but doesn't totally silence the parties. It’s why we’re still seeing these bombshell announcements every Friday afternoon.
Actionable Insights for the Curious
If you're following this for more than just the gossip, there are a few legal realities to keep in mind:
- Watch the February Settlement Window: While the trial is set for May, there is a court-ordered settlement discussion scheduled for February 2026. Most celebrity cases settle here to avoid the "discovery" phase where embarrassing texts get read in court.
- The "Epstein Lawyer" Strategy: By hiring McCawley, Lively is signaling that she views this as a "speak truth to power" case. This moves the needle from a contract dispute to a civil rights issue, which plays very differently with potential jurors.
- The Discovery Trap: We’ve already seen bits of depositions—like the "Buckingham Palace" comment Baldoni made about Lively's home office. If this goes to trial, expect thousands of pages of texts between Lively and her friend Taylor Swift to become public record, as they’ve already been subpoenaed.
The stakes couldn't be higher. For Lively, it's about her brand as the relatable, empowered mogul. For Baldoni, it's about whether he can ever direct in Hollywood again. With the January 22 hearing just days away, the next move belongs to the judge.