Justin Baldoni fights to keep Blake Lively's publicist in lawsuit — Here's why

Justin Baldoni’s legal battle is heating up as his team pushes back against removing Leslie Sloane, a publicist who represents Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, from the case.

The It Ends With Us actor and director, 41, filed a response on March 6 in the Southern District of New York, rejecting Sloane’s February 20 request to be dismissed from the lawsuit.

Baldoni’s legal team argued that Sloane played a key role in an alleged scheme to harm the Wayfarer Parties, claiming in their court filing, “The Sloane Parties played an active and integral role in a conspiracy to inflict harm on the Wayfarer Parties.”

The response further alleged, “In a desperate effort to salvage Lively’s reputation and to escape her wrath, the Sloane Parties conspired with Lively and consolidated defendants Ryan Reynolds and The New York Times Company to make scapegoats of the Wayfarer Parties for Lively’s woes,” as reported by People.

His attorneys added, “As a direct result of the actions of the Sloane Parties and their co-conspirators, the Wayfarer Parties have been damaged beyond measure. These are the facts underpinning the Wayfarer Parties’ allegations against the Sloane Parties, and this is what the evidence will prove at trial.”

Sloane, who was named in the case alongside her company Vision PR, has strongly denied any wrongdoing. Her attorney, Sigrid McCawley of Boies Schiller Flexner, dismissed Baldoni’s claims, stating:

“As our motion to dismiss makes clear, Leslie Sloane and her company Vision PR were dragged into this lawsuit in an attempt to distract from serious allegations of sexual harassment and systematic retaliation.”

Sloane’s legal team maintains that their inclusion in the case is unfounded. In their motion to dismiss, her attorneys defended Lively, calling Baldoni’s characterization of her involvement in the film’s production sexist.

“Baldoni’s allegations about the creative issues are irrelevant and tellingly sexist. Because Ms Lively — an executive producer on the film — dared to offer input on the script, wardrobe and editing, Baldoni blasts her as 'tyrannical' and 'aggressive,' among other coded terms,” the filing stated.

The lawsuit is set to go to trial in March 2026, with both sides standing firm in their positions.

McCawley continued, “The irony is not lost on us that Baldoni and his team have wrongfully accused Leslie Sloane of engaging in the very same misconduct for which they stand accused. The claims against Leslie Sloane were brought as a baseless finger-pointing exercise.”

He added, “We look forward to setting the record straight on our grounds for dismissal and removing Leslie Sloane from this litigation, putting the rightful focus on the serious issues and allegations before the court.”

As the legal drama unfolds, all eyes remain on the escalating battle between Baldoni, Lively, and the key players involved.

Why is Blake Lively suing Justin Baldoni?

Lively has accused Baldoni, along with his publicists, producer Jamey Heath, Wayfarer Studios, and co-founder Steve Sarowitz, of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign to tarnish her reputation—claims Baldoni denies.

RELATED: Blake Lively’s publicist alleges Justin Baldoni of 'harassing multiple employees'