Blake Lively Seeks Dismissal of Justin Baldoni's Defamation Suit Under California Law

Lively's motion invokes Assembly Bill 933, which protects individuals reporting misconduct, as Baldoni's lawyer accuses her of legal abuse.

Blake Lively has filed a motion to dismiss Justin Baldoni's defamation lawsuit, citing California's Assembly Bill 933, which shields individuals reporting harassment, assault, or discrimination from defamation claims unless proven malicious or false.
The legal filing argues that Baldoni's lawsuit is retaliatory, legally baseless, and part of a broader campaign to discredit Lively after her allegations of sexual misconduct and retaliation.
Justin Baldoni denies Lively's allegations and has filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against her and the New York Times, along with a $400 million countersuit alleging conspiracy involving Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and her PR team.
The dispute raises significant jurisdictional questions, as the court must determine whether California or New York law applies, with potential implications for future defamation cases under Assembly Bill 933.
Baldoni's lawyer, Bryan Freedman, criticized Lively's motion as an abuse of the legal system, accusing her of twisting laws for personal advantage.