Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni: Who has the stronger case?

A bombshell new documentary is breaking down Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's legal showdown, and according to one featured legal expert, Lively may have the edge. "In Dispute: Lively vs. Baldoni," which aired Monday, March 31, at 8 p.m. ET on ID and is currently streaming on Max, takes a deep dive into the lawsuit and countersuit between the "It Ends With Us" co-stars. 

With insights from reporters, a PR specialist, an intimacy coordinator, and legal analysts (but, notably, no participation from either side's lawyers), the doc unpacks the high-profile courtroom battle that's sending shockwaves through Hollywood.

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Attorney Dina Doll, who shares her expert take near the end of the documentary, says Blake Lively's legal claims appear more solid than Baldoni's.

Lively's Allegations vs. Baldoni's Defense

Lively, 37, has accused Baldoni, 41, of sexual harassment on the set of "It Ends With Us," where he not only starred alongside her but also directed and produced. Her lawsuit claims that Baldoni overstepped boundaries with inappropriate comments, references to erotic behavior, and unscripted kissing and that when she spoke up, he retaliated by attempting to ruin her reputation. Baldoni, in turn, has denied all allegations.

Doll lays it out bluntly: "My professional opinion, Blake Lively has the stronger case. Because all of Justin Baldoni's arguments about fame and control don't really refute her claim of sexual harassment."

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Doll also points out that Baldoni isn't denying the alleged incidents but reframing them: "His argument isn't really that those items didn't happen; he just is saying that there's a different perspective, that they were really more consensual."

Baldoni's Counterattack: A $400 Million Lawsuit

If Lively's allegations weren't explosive enough, Baldoni took things even further with a jaw-dropping $400 million lawsuit against her and her husband, Ryan Reynolds. He's claiming extortion and defamation, alleging that the Hollywood power couple used their influence to damage his career and take control of his passion project.

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Lively's legal team has dismissed Baldoni's claims as "baseless," while his attorney, Bryan Freedman, maintains that the accusations against his client are "completely false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious."

 Libel Lawsuit Against The New York Times

The legal drama intensified in December 2024 when The New York Times published an exposé revealing details of Lively's allegations. Baldoni immediately pushed back, calling the article defamatory and filing a libel lawsuit against the newspaper. The Times, however, has stood firmly behind its reporting.

What Happens Next?

While Baldoni's legal team has vowed to "swiftly debunk" Lively's claims as the case moves through discovery, the courtroom battle is far from over. The case is scheduled to go to trial in March 2026.

According to legal expert Gregory Doll (who is not involved in the case), the odds are high that Lively and Baldoni will reach a settlement before trial. "Ninety-two percent of all civil cases settle, so odds are overwhelmingly that the case will settle," he told PEOPLE.

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That said, expect things to get uglier before they get resolved. "It's very nasty, and I think it's going to get nastier," Doll warned. "They both got great lawyers, but they're going to pay a lot of money, and it's going to be a lot of emotional turmoil."