Justin Baldoni’s Lawyer reportedly claims actor might consider advocacy for wrongfully accused after Blake Lively legal battle 

Justin Baldoni, forty-two, may have a new chapter ahead of him following the conclusion of his legal battle with Blake Lively. As per a report shared by the Daily Mail, his lawyer Bryan Freedman has suggested that Baldoni could become an advocate for people who have been wrongfully accused. The It Ends with Us director and the Gossip Girl actress settled their case two weeks before a projected May 18 trial date, wrapping up a dispute that had lasted close to a year and a half.

It began in December of 2024, when Lively, who is now thirty-eight years old, named Justin Baldoni in a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment, retaliatory conduct, and intentional infliction of emotional stress. A judge later threw out ten of the thirteen claims in her initial filing, including those related to sexual harassment, conspiracy, and defamation. That being said, the two parties ultimately chose to resolve what remained outside of court. Now, with the legal battle behind him, Freedman has spoken about what could come next for his client.

"A speaker for people who have been wrongfully accused of something, and really beaten up by a power dynamic," said Freedman.

Bryan Freedman speaks about Baldoni's career direction and the toll of the legal battle:

Freedman made the comments while speaking with TMZ on June 1 in New York City, amid a hearing on legal fees in Justin Baldoni's case with Lively. The lawyer shared that his client is still figuring out which direction he wants to go in with his career after wrapping up litigation last month.

"I think it's still been tough for him," Freedman said.

"He's still going through a lot, and you go through anything like that, it's really shattering your ego and your pride and your vulnerability and all of it," he added.

Freedman also spoke about how the experience had affected Baldoni on a personal level.

"He really opens himself up in a way that most people don't and he's really been super-authentic and that's been wounded," he said.

That being said, Freedman noted that the public support Justin Baldoni has received throughout the nearly two years of tension with Lively has meant a great deal to him.

"It's so meaningful to him and so powerful to him. He's blown away at the love that he's gotten, and it's helped him survive," shared Freedman.

Freedman also shared that the core idea behind Baldoni's potential activism would center on,

"The idea that you can be a good person, and not be taken advantage of just because you're kind."

Blake Lively demands Justin Baldoni cover legal fees as judge urges her lawyers to consider dropping claims:

As per a report shared by The Sun, the legal friction between Baldoni and Lively is far from over. Despite the two having reached a settlement with no money changing hands, Lively has now demanded that Baldoni pay her "significant" damages, with the pair potentially facing a mini-trial. Court documents show Lively is seeking legal fees, costs, treble damages, and punitive damages on top, claiming Justin Baldoni should cover her costs after he sued her.

Lively had previously sued Justin Baldoni for £119 million in damages in 2024, alleging sexual harassment on the set of It Ends With Us, which he denied. A judge dismissed most of her case in April, and both sides settled weeks later. Now Lively argues that because a judge dismissed Baldoni's £300 million counter-lawsuit for defamation last year, he is obligated to pay her.

During a hearing in New York on Monday, Judge Lewis Liman urged Lively's legal team to reconsider, telling them

"Your client does have the ability to end this."

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Lively's lawyer, Sigrid McCawley, pushed back, saying her client was entitled to the money and that experts would be called to testify. Speaking after the session, McCawley confirmed the A Simple Favor actress would be seeking "very significant" damages, adding that her client's "reputation was harmed" as was her livelihood.

As per The Sun report, Neither Lively, who is married to Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds, nor Justin Baldoni were present at the hearing.

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