Justin Baldoni's Lawyer Says ‘the Truth’ About Blake Lively’s Legal Complaint Will Expose ‘Those Who Believe Themselves Untouchable’ (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Justin Baldoni; Blake Lively.Photo:Dia Dipasupil/Getty; Raymond Hall/GC Images

Dia Dipasupil/Getty; Raymond Hall/GC Images

Justin Baldoni’s lawyer says that the actor’s impending lawsuit againstBlake Livelywill not only bring forth the “truth” — but also expose “those who believe themselves untouchable.”

“This is not a response or countersuit — it’s a deliberate pursuit of truth,” attorney Bryan Freedman exclusively tells PEOPLE of Baldoni’s forthcoming lawsuit, which follows Lively’sexplosive complaintaccusing Baldoni, 40, of sexual harassment on the set ofIt Ends with Usand asubsequent retaliatory smear campaign.

Freedman, a veteran Hollywood lawyer, also says that Baldoni’s filing will “expose” falsities in Lively’s complaint — specifically a series of private text messages that allegedly show Baldoni texting and emailing with PR executive Jennifer Abel and crisis management expertMelissa Nathanas they planned what Lively, 37, alleges was a smear campaign orchestrated to “destroy” her reputation.

“There is an insurmountable collection of authentic evidence, including timelines and communications, which have not been doctored or spliced without context, unlike the altered [New York Times] story that ran on Saturday, December 21st 2024,” he continues in the written statement.

ThearticleFreedman is referring to — titled “ ‘We Can Bury Anyone’: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine” — broke the news of Lively’s complaint the day after she filed it in California.

Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively on the ‘It Ends with Us’ set.Jose Perez / SplashNews.com

Jose Perez / SplashNews.com

“Legacy media has long weaponized their platforms to distort the truth, exploit vulnerabilities, and destroy lives without accountability,” the attorney continues. “These lawsuits will confront this system head-on, ensuring that no individual or entity, no matter how influential, can continue perpetuating this cycle of fear and destruction.”

A representative for Lively did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Sunday, Dec. 29.

The attorney’s latest statement comes shortly after theDaily Mail’s Dec. 27 report that as soon as the courts reopen in the new year, Baldoni plans to file a countersuit against Lively. Freedman told the British outlet that the forthcoming filling will “shock everyone.”

Sloanedenied these claims, calling them “false” in a statement to PEOPLE on Dec. 28. She says she did not originate any stories about allegations of HR complaints on the set of the adaptation of theColleen Hoover novel, and that she was informed that the press had learned of them through a relative of a member of Baldoni’s PR team, who works for theNew York Post.

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Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively on the set of ‘It Ends with Us’.Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

In the complaint — which comes months afterrumors of a feudbetween the costars swirled — the actress also outlines dozens of allegations against Baldoni, as well as members of the film’s production team and the individuals said to be involved in the alleged smear campaign against her.

Among Lively’s allegations: Baldoni — a married father of two who has positioned himself as an ally to women and domestic abuse survivors in numerous interviews — walked into her makeup trailer uninvited while she was breast-feeding; talked about a previous pornography addiction; alluded to past non-consensual sexual encounters and asked Lively to divulge details of her own “intimate life.”

In a statement given toThe New York Timesfor its Dec. 21 report, Lively said, “I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted.”

source: people.com