Blake Lively’s publicist seeks removal from lawsuit, defends actress against Justin Baldoni’s allegations

Blake Lively’s legal battle with actor-director Justin Baldoni has taken another turn as her longtime publicist, Leslie Sloane, has filed a motion to be removed from Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit. The legal dispute, which began in December with Lively’s accusations of sexual harassment and retaliation, has evolved into a heated courtroom drama with multiple allegations and high-profile names involved.

On February 20, attorney Sigrid McCawley filed a motion in New York federal court on behalf of Sloane and her firm, Vision PR, seeking dismissal from the case. According to the filing, Sloane and her agency were unfairly implicated in what her attorneys describe as a “smoke and mirrors exercise” designed to divert attention from Lively’s accusations against Baldoni.

The motion argues that there is no concrete evidence supporting claims that Sloane engaged in a smear campaign against Baldoni or planted damaging stories in the media. Furthermore, it challenges Baldoni’s legal team’s accusations of extortion, pointing out that no specifics were provided regarding how or where such alleged actions took place.

The controversy between Lively, 37, and Baldoni, 41, initially centered around creative differences during the production of It Ends With Us, an upcoming film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel. However, the conflict quickly escalated into more serious allegations.

Sloane’s attorneys argue that Baldoni’s claims of Lively’s so-called “tyrannical” behavior on set are deeply rooted in sexism. “Because Ms. Lively—an executive producer on the film—dared to offer input on the script, wardrobe, and editing, Baldoni brands her as ‘aggressive’ and ‘difficult,’ using coded language historically used to undermine women in positions of power,” the motion states.

Earlier this week, Lively filed an amended complaint, expanding on her initial allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation against Baldoni, his producing partner Jamey Heath, and Wayfarer Studios, among others. The revised filing also claims that Baldoni’s inappropriate behavior made two unnamed female co-stars uncomfortable—both of whom are reportedly willing to testify.

Baldoni’s legal team, however, continues to refute Lively’s accusations. In their countersuit, they claim she orchestrated a character assassination against Baldoni, allegedly with Sloane’s help. Their complaint, which they publicly posted online, describes Sloane as a “master practitioner of the dark arts of public relations” and accuses her of spearheading an elaborate defamation campaign against Baldoni.

As the high-profile case unfolds, public opinion remains divided. Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, have remained steadfast in their stance, with Lively’s legal team dismissing Baldoni’s counterclaims as “desperate” and “meritless.” Meanwhile, Baldoni’s team insists that he is the victim of a fabricated smear campaign designed to ruin his career.

The legal battle is set to continue, with a trial scheduled for March 2026. As both sides prepare for what promises to be a lengthy courtroom showdown, the entertainment industry watches closely, with the case raising broader conversations about power dynamics, gender bias, and reputation management in Hollywood.