Justin Baldoni returns to court after a failed settlement against Blake Lively
Justin Baldoni appeared in court for the second time as the It ends with us legal battle continues – but Blake Lively was not present.
Justin, 42, was accompanied by his wife, Emily Baldonias they arrived at a New York City courthouse for the second day in a row on Thursday, February 12. The actor and director wore a neutral outfit as they held hands with Emily, 41, as they walked into the building, according to several videos shared on social media. Both Justin and Emily opted for camel-colored outfits and appeared in good spirits as they entered the courthouse.
Extra TV reported that 38-year-old Lively was “not expected in court” on Thursday. (We weekly has reached out to Lively’s team for comment.)
Justin Baldoni
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty ImagesWhile several reporters shouted questions at Justin, he provided no answers.
“I hope you stay warm today,” he told the press outside. “I hope you’re staying nice and warm.”
A separate story published by Page six claimed that Baldoni’s second court appearance was related to his ongoing legal battle with the publicist Stephanie Jones.
Justin Baldoni’s legal battle with It Ends With Us co-actor Blake Lively is said to have left its mark on the actor. During a pre-trial hearing on Monday, February 3, Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman said his “clients are financially and emotionally devastated” over the situation. (Freedman also represents It Ends With Us producers Jamey Heath […]
Jones sued Baldoni in December 2024, accusing him and his former employee Jennifer Abel for breach of contract and claiming they orchestrated a smear campaign against Lively. Baldoni contradicted Jones in March 2025. She tries to dismiss the lawsuit.
Thursday’s court appearance is Justin’s second of the week. He and Lively were both present at the New York courthouse on Wednesday, February 11, ahead of their trial in May.
Justin presented a united front with Emily on Wednesday, while Lively arrived alone. Justin and Lively accidentally wore pink and green outfits for the settlement conference, which is traditionally held in civil lawsuits to avoid a lawsuit.
Judge Lewis J. Limanwho will preside over their upcoming trial, previously suggested a settlement hearing at trial in December 2025.
The judge overseeing Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s ongoing legal battle is suggesting the It Ends With Us costars settle out of court. Judge Lewis J. Liman ordered Lively, 38, and Baldoni, 41, on Tuesday, December 9, to contact a magistrate to discuss a settlement. The update came on the same day the news broke […]
Justin’s lawyer Bryan Freedman told Deadline on Wednesday that the settlement talks had “failed,” but added that “there is always a chance” to reach an agreement. Freedman said he is “looking forward” to the trial in May and noted he was unsure whether talks would resume before then.
Justin has been involved in a legal battle with Lively since December 2024 when she filed a complaint against him with the California Civil Rights Department. Lively claimed that Justin created a hostile work environment on the set of their film It ends with us. That same month, Lively filed a lawsuit against Justin, accusing him of sexual harassment and organizing a smear campaign against her.
Justin has continued to deny the allegations against him and has contradicted Lively. His lawsuit was dismissed in June 2025.
While their civil trial was originally scheduled to begin next month, Judge Liman was forced to push it back to May because he is overseeing multiple criminal cases.
“As important as this case is… criminal trials take priority,” Liman said.
