Blake Lively scores new legal victory amid suit against Justin Baldoni
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Blake Lively celebrated a significant legal triumph recently when a defamation lawsuit against her was dismissed.

The 38-year-old actress was implicated in a lawsuit initiated in Texas this past February by the PR firm Street Relations Inc. and its owner, Jed Wallace.

Lively, known for her role in Gossip Girl, had included Wallace and his firm in a legal action she filed last year concerning the production and marketing of “It Ends with Us.” However, the case was dismissed due to insufficient personal jurisdiction, as the appropriateness of Texas as the venue was questioned.

A source familiar with the situation shared with the Daily Mail following Wednesday’s decision: “Both cases were dismissed on grounds of jurisdiction.”

“While Blake primarily accused Jed of orchestrating the alleged defamation effort, regardless of the case’s dismissal rationale, Jed is no longer entangled in the broader legal battle initiated by Blake,” the source added.

The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Lively for further comment on the story. 

Blake Lively, 38, racked up a meaningful legal victory this week when a defamation suit filed against her was thrown out of court.. Pictured in NYC September 5

Blake Lively, 38, racked up a meaningful legal victory this week when a defamation suit filed against her was thrown out of court.. Pictured in NYC September 5

It Ends with Us, directed by Baldoni, was a surprise hit when it arrived in theaters in 2024

It Ends with Us, directed by Baldoni, was a surprise hit when it arrived in theaters in 2024

A rep for Lively told TMZ that the latest development clears the path for the actress and her team to present a strong case when it arrives in court next spring.

‘With this decision, all of the retaliatory lawsuits filed against Blake Lively by Justin Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios and their crisis communications and digital teams have been dismissed,’ Lively’s rep told TMZ.

The rep added that ‘Ms. Lively will have her day in court on her claims at the March trial in New York.’

The ruling came about a week after a judge scuttled claims made by Lively that Wallace was a collaborator in the efforts to damage her reputation, via social media.

The presiding judge said that Lively’s legal team erroneously filed the case in New York City, as Wallace is based out of Austin, Texas .

Lively, who is wed to Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds, claimed Baldoni had sexually harassed her while making It Ends with Us, which was a surprise hit when it arrived in theaters in August last year. Baldoni denied the allegation.

The movie earned $148 million in domestic box office, and $350 million globally – but whatever goodwill the film garnered has since been overshadowed by the allegations made by its stars.

The motion picture, which also starred Jenny Slate, Hasan Minhaj, Brandon Sklenar and Kevin McKidd, was based on the 2016 novel by Colleen Hoover. 

It earned $148 million in domestic box office, and $350 million globally - but whatever goodwill the film garnered has since been overshadowed by the allegations made by its stars

It earned $148 million in domestic box office, and $350 million globally – but whatever goodwill the film garnered has since been overshadowed by the allegations made by its stars 

Lively pictured June 9 in NYC, hours after a judge threw out Baldoni's case against her

Lively pictured June 9 in NYC, hours after a judge threw out Baldoni’s case against her 

The storyline of the film centered around a toxic relationship between Lily Bloom (played by Lively) and Ryle Kincaid (Baldoni).

According to a logline for the film, Lily ‘overcomes a traumatic childhood to embark on a new life,’ as ‘a chance meeting with a neurosurgeon sparks a connection but Lily begins to see sides of him that remind her of her parents’ relationship.’ 

In December of last year, Lively named Baldoni in a lawsuit accusing him of sexual harassment, retaliatory conduct, and intentional infliction of emotional stress.

In her lawsuit, the actress accused Baldoni of sexually harassing her in multiple ways – including body shaming her – and orchestrating a smear campaign against her to damage her reputation.  

Barring any major changes, Baldoni and Lively will face off in a courtroom next spring

Barring any major changes, Baldoni and Lively will face off in a courtroom next spring 

In her lawsuit, Lively named a number of Baldoni’s collaborators, including his company Wayfarer Studios, the studio’s CEO and financial backer, and PR personnel Nathan and Abel.  

Baldoni had initially asked for $250 million in damages from The New York Times, mentioning a report it published on the topic, then added it to the $400 million lawsuit he filed this past January.

In the suit, Baldoni named Lively, her spouse Ryan Reynolds and her publicist Leslie Sloane, citing the aforementioned report in legal documents. It was thrown out of court this past June. 

All parties have denied all of the allegations against them.

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