Blake Lively’s Publicist Seeks Removal from $400 Million Lawsuit
In recent legal developments, Blake Lively’s publicist, Leslie Sloan, has made a formal request to be removed from Justin Baldoni’s $400 million lawsuit. The motion to dismiss was filed in a New York federal court on February 20, indicating Sloan’s desire to distance herself and her company, Vision PR, from Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios’ countersuit.
The core argument presented by Sloan’s legal team revolves around their alleged unwarranted inclusion in the ongoing legal battle. They claim to have been “dragged” into the lawsuit as a distraction from Lively’s accusations of sexual harassment and retaliation. Sloan’s attorneys vehemently deny any involvement in planting “malicious stories” or orchestrating a “smear campaign.”
Furthermore, Sloan’s lawyers challenge the extortion claims put forth by Baldoni’s legal representation. They assert that there is no concrete evidence specifying where or how the alleged extortion transpired, emphasizing a lack of substantiated claims against Sloan.
In a separate and critical development, Sloan’s legal counsel also defended Blake Lively against Baldoni’s accusations regarding their professional relationship during the production of “It Ends With Us.” The legal filing highlighted Baldoni’s allegations as “sexist” and irrelevant, pointing out coded language used to criticize Lively for offering creative input as an executive producer on the project.
Subsequently, Lively responded to these claims, expressing her denial of the allegations and dismissing Baldoni’s lawsuit as a manipulative tactic commonly found in abusive situations. The legal battle between Lively and Baldoni originated in December 2024 when Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, accusing him of various wrongdoings, which he refuted by filing a countersuit against Lively, Sloan, and Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds.
As the legal dispute continues to unfold, with both parties refusing to settle through mediation, a trial date has been set for March 9, 2026. The ongoing saga is characterized by conflicting claims, denials, and legal maneuvers, underscoring the complexities and challenges inherent in high-profile litigation. Stay tuned for further updates as this legal drama continues to evolve.