It's been a wild ride for Blake Lively lately. If you haven't been glued to the headlines, you might think she’s just living her best life, mixing drinks for Betty Buzz and filming sequels. But honestly? The real story right now is happening in a courtroom, not on a film set.
The latest news on Blake Lively just took a sharp, serious turn. On Friday, January 16, 2026, news broke that Lively has officially beefed up her legal team with a heavy hitter. We’re talking about Sigrid McCawley. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because she’s the high-profile attorney who famously represented Jeffrey Epstein’s victims. This isn't just a routine hire; it’s a massive signal about where her ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni is headed.
The McCawley Move: More Than Just Legal Advice
Why hire a lawyer known for "speaking truth to power" and handling some of the most sensitive cases in recent history? According to Lively’s team, McCawley’s role is pretty specific. She’s acting as a liaison between the legal team and the public.
Basically, she’s there to make sure the narrative doesn’t get twisted.
McCawley herself told PEOPLE that the case is about a woman subjected to a "hostile work environment" who is being "attacked for standing up to protect herself." It’s clear Lively is moving away from the "celebrity feud" gossip and framing this as a serious workplace safety and harassment issue. This move comes just days before a pivotal hearing scheduled for January 22, 2026.
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What Really Happened with It Ends With Us?
If you're wondering how we even got here, we have to look back at the It Ends With Us production. What started as a massive box office win—grossing over $350 million—turned into a legal nightmare. In December 2024, Lively sued Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment and a "retaliatory smear campaign."
She claimed the set was a mess.
One of the more eye-popping details from recent court filings involves her home office. Baldoni claimed in a deposition that Lively referred to her workspace as "Buckingham Palace" because of the sheer number of A-listers walking through it. He’s been pushing to keep the identities of these "famous friends" unsealed in the lawsuit. It's a mess of "he-said, she-said" that's getting increasingly personal.
The Timeline You Need to Know:
- December 2024: Lively files the initial lawsuit against Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios.
- June 2025: A judge dismisses Baldoni’s countersuit against Lively’s publicist.
- October 2025: Baldoni gives a deposition revealing the "Buckingham Palace" nickname.
- January 2026: Sigrid McCawley joins the team as a public-facing legal advisor.
- May 2026: The full trial is currently slated to begin.
Beyond the Courtroom: The Career Pivot
While the legal drama is heavy, Blake isn't exactly sitting at home hiding. She’s been busy.
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Remember A Simple Favor? The 2018 thriller where she played the martini-drinking, suit-wearing Emily? The sequel, Another Simple Favor, is actually in the can. Despite rumors that it was being shelved because of her "legal mess," director Paul Feig stepped in to shut that down. He basically told the internet to pipe down, explaining that post-production takes time. Expect to see Emily Nelson back on your screens—likely on Prime Video—sometime in the first half of 2026.
And then there's The Survival List. This one sounds like classic Blake. She’s starring as a reality TV producer who gets shipwrecked with a "survival expert" who turns out to be a total fraud. It’s an action-rom-com, which feels like a smart move to lighten her brand after all the heavy headlines.
The Business of Being Blake
Lively’s business empire is also expanding in ways you might not expect. Betty Buzz and Betty Booze aren't just for your local grocery store anymore. They’ve recently partnered with Princess Cruises. So, if you’re on a ship in the middle of the Caribbean, you can now sip on a Sparkling Tequila with Lime Shiso while looking at the ocean.
She also did a holiday collab with the iconic New York spot Serendipity3. They created "Frrrozen Hot Chocolates" using her mixers. It’s a savvy way to keep her brands in the lifestyle conversation even when her name is being dragged through legal filings.
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What’s the Takeaway?
The latest news on Blake Lively shows a woman who is playing a very long, very calculated game. She’s not just a "celeb" anymore; she’s a producer and a founder who is willing to hire the most aggressive legal talent to defend her reputation.
If you're following this story, keep an eye on that January 22 hearing. It’ll determine if the case goes to a jury or if parts of it get tossed out.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Industry Watchers:
- Watch the legal filings: The hire of Sigrid McCawley suggests Lively is prepared for a very public, very detailed trial in May.
- Ignore the "shelved" rumors: Another Simple Favor is coming. Feig has been vocal that the delay is purely technical.
- Follow the brands: Lively often uses her business launches (like the Princess Cruises deal) to soften her public image during high-stress legal periods.
The trial date in May 2026 is the big one. Until then, expect more strategic hires and high-fashion appearances that signal "business as usual," even if things are anything but.