Blake Lively Sexual Harassment Lawsuit: Is Justin Baldoni Countersuing? It Ends With Us Movie Controversy Explodes!

Blake Lively’s Sexual Harassment Complaint Against Justin Baldoni May Proceed to Trial, Legal Experts Suggest

Blake Lively a celebrated actress could proceed to trial after sexual harassment allegations against It Ends with Us costar Justin Baldoni surfaced as a legal expert tells PEOPLE. Lawyer Gregory Doll explains if no resolution via mediation occurs Lively and Baldoni may end up in court over alleged inappropriate behavior on the film set. Gregory Doll does not represent Lively nor Baldoni in this current case but provides independent legal perspective for the situation at hand.

Blake Lively’s Lawsuit Details Allegations Of On-Set Harassment and Retaliatory Smear Campaign

Blake Lively filed a complaint against director Justin Baldoni of It Ends with Us accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment which was followed by retaliatory acts designed to destroy her image. Lively’s legal actions include other members of the production team said to be participating in Baldoni's alleged public smear campaign against Lively after allegations occurred on set. Lively now pursues an undisclosed sum of damages caused by on set events along with the claimed retaliation from director and fellow members on the team working at the Wayfarer Studio location.

Baldoni's Lawyer Disputes Harassment Claims Accusing Lively of Disruptive Behavior

Blake Lively Sexual Harassment Lawsuit: Is Justin Baldoni Countersuing? It Ends With Us Movie Controversy Explodes! image 3

Bryan Freedman lawyer for Justin Baldoni shared his position with PEOPLE on December 21st claiming Lively’s complaint is an effort to redeem her public image by producing salacious and damaging claims. Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman accused Blake Lively of disruptive conduct during filming for It Ends with Us that was in turn directed by Baldoni. Freedman alleges that Blake Lively's on set problems involved actions such as refusing to attend work and also that the actress was not properly promoting the film negatively affecting movie's release in theaters after the movie filming ended for good.

Lively shared her personal feelings in The New York Times with her statement hoping legal action will publicly address retaliation tactics plus protect people targeted for speaking out about work misconduct. This public comment was provided following complaints lodged against Justin Baldoni after his lawyers spoke to People magazine about events occurring during the production. The statement to The New York Times by Lively is intended to show her feelings after claims made publicly by Baldoni and his representatives over this ongoing matter.

California Civil Rights Department Considers Investigation Into Blake Lively Complaint

California Civil Rights Department will decide on possible investigations after Lively filed her complaint in approximately 60 days from the time the official complaint had been launched by lawyers representing Blake. The department can mediate an agreement with Baldoni and also Wayfarer Studios prior to deciding to take the matter to litigation showing steps required to resolve matters between individuals. According to lawyer Gregory Doll they could reject or approve mediation with Lively to find settlement outside of courts as an option before approving any possible lawsuit.

If a settlement cannot be reached Civil Rights Department will send Lively a "right to sue" letter which indicates she can then take her legal claim directly to court. Gregory Doll also says court is not the only likely resolution. The specific accusations may push the claim toward the possibility of a complete trial as per the details being released in various media outlets and statements. These are legal measures required to move to trial or further discussions if agreement cannot occur outside the court between individuals involved in lawsuit

Legal Expert Gregory Doll Says The Nature Of Lively-Baldoni Conflict Creates Likelihood of Trial

Gregory Doll a seasoned lawyer says cases of such high conflict as this situation involving Lively and Baldoni often go directly to court instead of an easy settlement route that is more common in Hollywood. Legal discovery that would exchange emails text messages other evidence showing actions behind the scenes will further inflame those involved that will then cause outrage by all involved. When legal documents are revealed the plaintiff Lively will become further aggravated by what is said behind her back causing her to take the case to trial to publicly present these private facts to wide audience. This further reveals key legal options along with strategy of both parties for public discourse regarding all the available legal claims by the two individuals.

Mediation Remains an Option in the Blake Lively v Justin Baldoni Case Despite Tension

Attorney Gregory Doll also thinks mediation is more likely outcome as Lively's actions have already generated substantial media interest around the claims and what happened behind the camera on set. He explains If Lively was to obtain only awareness over actions taken by Baldoni and publicly display what happened that goal is being attained with or without ongoing lawsuits which could create pressure to stop court process. Doll indicated with these issues ongoing after suit has started, they are very good points in legal process for all parties to come to some middle ground for peaceful end of litigation.

Potential Countersuit from Baldoni And Industry Repercussions Following Legal Actions

Gregory Doll told People Magazine Baldoni would definitely consider filing a countersuit which is quite common response after major legal battles with high profile cases that garner global media coverage. Gregory Doll added that his experience suggests its nearly guaranteed Baldoni will file a countersuit unless a situation occurs for an unusual outcome to the process showing legal options taken when dealing with litigation of the most severe kind. Following this initial legal action by Lively and all news agencies reporting these occurrences Baldoni lost representation by talent agency WME a key Hollywood firm. This occurrence after the lawsuit indicates Baldoni lost considerable representation while Lively gained significant leverage after these developments in litigation.