In the wake of Blake Lively’s lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, many are curious about her next steps. Lively, 37, is accusing Baldoni, 40, of orchestrating a “social manipulation” campaign aimed at damaging her reputation. The lawsuit was filed on December 20, 2024, and Lively’s legal team is now preparing for the next stages in this contentious battle. The Civil Rights Department (CDR) will begin its investigation, requesting formal responses and evidence from the involved parties.
Ron Zambrano, a legal expert with West Coast Trial Lawyers, explained that the CDR’s first step will be to evaluate any evidence provided by the defendants. According to Zambrano, the CDR might conduct follow-up fact-gathering, push for mediation, or escalate the issue if necessary. However, it’s unlikely that they will file on Lively’s behalf as she is represented by prominent law firms that typically defend these kinds of claims. Lively’s legal team also has the option of requesting a “Right to Sue” letter, which would terminate the CDR’s involvement.
If Lively’s team requests this letter, she would have one year to file a civil complaint. However, Zambrano pointed out that the CDR’s pace will dictate the timeline unless Lively seeks an immediate letter. This adds an element of uncertainty, but the timeline will depend on how the process unfolds.
The lawsuit also raises questions about potential damages Lively could seek. Zambrano noted that both economic and non-economic damages could be calculated. Economic damages refer to tangible losses, such as the negative financial impact caused by the alleged media campaign. For example, Lively claims that the campaign led to a sharp decline in sales of her Blake Brown Beauty products. She also had to cancel a major corporate event and pull out of hosting the premiere of “Saturday Night Live” in 2024 due to the backlash. The damages linked to her businesses could be significant, given that her product sales reportedly dropped by 56% to 78%.
On the other hand, noneconomic damages refer to more subjective harm, such as emotional distress or reputational damage. Zambrano explained that calculating noneconomic damages is more of an art than a science, and the figures demanded in a complaint are typically not the same as those sought by a jury.
Additionally, the possibility of mediation has been raised. Zambrano highlighted that the Civil Rights Department might suggest mediation between the parties. However, it remains to be seen whether the parties will actually agree to settle. Mediation is often beneficial to defendants, but it’s not guaranteed that Lively and Baldoni will reach a resolution.
In a statement to The New York Times, Lively expressed hope that her legal action would expose harmful retaliatory tactics used against those who speak up about misconduct. She aims to protect others who may face similar targeted attacks.
