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Baldoni recently launched a website containing his amended complaint and a "timeline of relevant events" related to the case, which Chew called an unusual but strategic move. "I think it is very aggressive," he said. "Usually, you would not do something like that before a hearing, but I'm sure that they vetted it carefully, vetted the material carefully." The website includes text messages, emails, and other content detailing interactions between Baldoni, Lively, and her husband, Ryan Reynolds.
Chew acknowledged that making legal pleadings public is not out of bounds. "Certainly, posting a pleading doesn't seem to me to be out of bounds. These are pleadings made in the public record," he stated. However, he noted that when legal arguments or advocacy pieces are included, it "gets closer to the line." Despite this, he characterized Baldoni's legal maneuver as a "bold" and "novel" approach.
The lawsuit has drawn comparisons to Depp's high-profile defamation case against Amber Heard, but Chew pointed out key differences. "Both sides run the risk... more risk... I think... than in Depp v. Heard of the jury not understanding why they should really care as much as I think the jurors may have in Depp and Heard," he observed.
Asked which party holds the upper hand, Chew remained neutral. "I'm going to remain agnostic as to who has the edge right now," he said. However, he emphasized the power of concrete evidence in legal battles. "The more they can cite to audiotape and videotape, I think that is particularly persuasive evidence. Everybody can see it. And I think it's much more impactful than just assertions, certainly assertions of counsel."
Baldoni, who directed and starred in It Ends With Us, released behind-the-scenes footage in an attempt to counter Lively's allegations. His legal team argues the footage supports his claims, while Lively's attorneys assert that it actually strengthens their case against him.
The trial is set for March 2026, with the court confirming that both parties' lawsuits will be merged. Meanwhile, Baldoni has hired crisis PR firm The Agency Group, which previously worked with Johnny Depp during his case against Heard.
