Justin Baldoni Ditches Claim Refile, Eyes New Legal Strategy
I suppose you could use a little help untangling this legal drama, so here’s the lowdown on Justin Baldoni’s latest maneuver in his skirmish with Blake Lively. You’ve probably heard by now that Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, vowed to refile four of the seven claims tossed out by a judge—claims against Lively as well as Ryan Reynolds and The New York Times—but surprise, surprise, that deadline quietly slipped by without a single amended complaint.
Here’s what you need to know: in mid-June, Judge XYZ waved away Baldoni’s original lawsuits as legally insufficient. Public court documents (source: court filings obtained by TMZ) show the judge granted leave to amend only four specific counts against Lively. Freedman later appeared on TMZ Live and assured viewers he would meet the deadline. Yet when June 24 hit, nada. No refile. According to TMZ, Freedman now says they’ve changed course: instead of tinkering with those claims, Baldoni will pursue “additional legal options” moving forward.
Let’s unpack that. Freedman’s statement to TMZ emphasized confidence in ultimately proving Lively’s allegations false—specifically, that there was no harassment or smear campaign orchestrated by Baldoni. These comments echo his earlier public remarks, where he called the suit’s dismissal “factually baseless” and insisted the court’s decision “has no effect whatsoever on the truth.” Whether you buy that or not, it’s clear Baldoni’s camp isn’t waving the white flag; they’re just swapping tactics.
Discovery is now the battleground. Freedman confirmed they’re diving deep into document requests and depositions, confident the evidence will align with their narrative. Meanwhile, Lively’s team can’t be thrilled about additional legal skirmishes cropping up—especially after Reynolds and The New York Times were dropped from the initial round. The prospect of fresh motions or even a new complaint altogether introduces fresh uncertainty on both sides.
You might wonder why refile at all if you’re planning to pivot? Good question. By letting the amendment deadline pass, Baldoni wipes the slate clean for “alternative legal options,” which could mean anything from filing in a different jurisdiction to pursuing defamation claims under different statutes. It’s a strategic move that suggests Freedman sees a better path than merely rejiggering the same four counts.
Whether you’re rooting for Baldoni, Lively, or just here for the legal fireworks, keep an eye on the court docket. New filings may reveal who’s really calling the shots—and who dropped the ball on that refile promise.
Consider yourself caught up. Hopefully that wasn’t too labyrinthine.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and TMZ, TMZ Live, Public court filings
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
