The legal battle between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively has escalated further, with Baldoni bringing in a prominent attorney to bolster his defense. Baldoni, actor and director of It Ends With Us, has retained Alexandra Shapiro, a high-profile lawyer known for representing Sean “Diddy” Combs and FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried.
Her addition signals that Baldoni is preparing for a lengthy and high-stakes courtroom fight. The dispute began in December 2024, when Lively filed a lawsuit accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation during the film’s production. Baldoni denied the allegations and responded with a $400 million countersuit for defamation and extortion.
That countersuit was dismissed in June 2025, clearing the way for Lively’s case to move forward. A trial date has been set for March 2026. Tensions flared again this month when U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman denied Baldoni’s request to extend the discovery deadline.
His legal team had asked for more time to depose singer Taylor Swift, whose name appeared in earlier filings, but the court ruled against the delay. Meanwhile, Lively’s attorneys have intensified their pushback, filing motions for sanctions against Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman.
They accuse him of violating the court’s protective order and engaging in “biased and inflammatory pretrial indictments” against Lively’s character. One motion highlighted what they described as a “ghoulish taunt,” citing an interview where Freedman suggested deposing Lively at Madison Square Garden, selling tickets, and livestreaming the proceeding.
Her legal team condemned the remarks as unprofessional and damaging. This is not the first time Freedman has faced such challenges in the case. Lively’s attorneys also filed a motion in August after details from her deposition were leaked to the media.
With Shapiro now on Baldoni’s side, legal experts say the defense may adopt a more strategic approach heading into trial preparations. Shapiro’s background in high-profile criminal and corporate cases could reshape Baldoni’s strategy as he fights to defend his reputation.
The next court hearing is scheduled for October 21, where discovery issues, sanctions motions, and trial logistics are expected to dominate the agenda. Both sides are preparing for what is shaping up to be one of Hollywood’s most closely watched courtroom battles in recent memory.
The outcome could carry far-reaching consequences for Baldoni, Lively, and the broader entertainment industry as it confronts ongoing debates about workplace culture, accountability, and public perception.