Blake Lively's Publicist Asks to Be Removed from Lawsuit, Defends Actress Against Justin Baldoni's 'Sexist' Claims

Blake Lively on Feb. 13, 2024.Photo:Taylor Hill/WireImage Taylor Hill/WireImage Blake LivelyandRyan Reynolds' publicist Leslie Sloane is asking to be removed from the $400 million lawsuitJustin Baldonifiled in January. Attorney Sigrid McCawley filed a motion to dismiss in New York federal court on Thursday, Feb. 20, asking the court to remove her clients Sloane and Sloane’s firm Vision PR from Baldoni and Wayfarer’s countersuit and cover their legal fees. They were “dragged” into the legal battle as a “smoke and mirrors exercise to distract from” Lively’s accusations of sexual harassment and retaliation, the filing alleges, arguing there’s no “basis” for accusing Sloane of planting “malicious stories” or launching a “smear campaign.

Blake Lively'sSisterhood of the Traveling PantsCostars 'Stand with Her' amid Sexual Harassment Complaint Against Justin Baldoni

America Ferrera,Alexis BledelandAmber Tamblynare supportingBlake Lively, just days after she filed asexual harassment complaintagainst herIt Ends with UscostarJustin Baldoni. In a joint statement shared on Instagram on Sunday, Dec. 21, the actresses — who all starred alongside Lively in the 2005 movieThe Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants— voiced their support for theGossip Girlalum, 37, amid her allegations against Baldoni, 40. America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, Blake Lively and Alexis Bledel.Clint Spaulding/Penske Media via Getty

Blake Lively'sWickedDate Night Look Included a Whimsical Pair of $450 Marc Jacobs Ruby Crystal Heels

XNY/Star Max/GC Images; Marc Jacobs Blake Livelyis one step closer to Oz. The actress, 37, took her love for method dressing to the next level at a Dec. 3Wickedscreening in N.Y.C. with her husbandRyan Reynolds. Reynolds, 48, wore a laid-back monochromatic look consisting of a beige jacket and pants and brown suede shoes. XNY/Star Max/GC Images The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Blake Lively’s Bombshell Case Against Justin Baldoni: Inside the ‘Stressful’ Ordeal (Exclusive)

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni filming ‘It Ends With Us’ last January (left); Lively on the new cover of PEOPLE (right). AsBlake Livelyand the cast ofIt Ends With Usbegan promoting the film last summer, it didn’t take long for fans to notice something seemed amiss. Lively, costarsJenny SlateandBrandon Sklenaras well as authorColleen Hoover— whose 2016 novel about domestic violence was adapted into the film — did not follow the movie’s director and starJustin Baldonion Instagram.

Blake Lively’s Subpoena for Justin Baldoni’s Phone Records Ruled ‘Overly Intrusive’ as Both Sides Respond

Blake Lively; Justin Baldoni.Photo:Jeff Spicer/Getty; Dia Dipasupil/Getty Jeff Spicer/Getty; Dia Dipasupil/Getty A federal judge has shut down part ofBlake Lively’s subpoena for phone records amid herongoing legal conflictwithIt Ends With Usdirector-costarJustin Baldoni. In court documents released Friday, Feb. 28, Judge Lewis J. Liman issued a mixed ruling, saying that thesubpoena from Lively’s legal teamfor communications from Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer Studios dating back to 2022 was “overly intrusive and disproportionate to the needs of the case.