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In a revelation that could reshape the trajectory of a closely watched Hollywood legal battle, Blake Lively's attorney Mike Gottlieb has confirmed the actress will testify in the upcoming civil trial. For the first time Lively's legal team has publicly confirmed her direct involvement in the courtroom. "This is where her story will be told," Gottlieb stated. "We expect her to take the stand and speak for herself."
The case stems from events that unfolded during the filming of It Ends with Us in early 2024. Just four months after the movie's August premiere, Lively filed a formal complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, citing sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign allegedly orchestrated by Baldoni and others. The complaint soon escalated into a lawsuit that named Wayfarer Studios and multiple production staff.
In response, Baldoni filed a $400 million countersuit, accusing Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, publicist Leslie Sloane, and Vision PR of defamation and civil extortion. "The truth has been clearly shown through unedited receipts, documents and real-life footage. More to come," Baldoni's attorney Bryan Freedman told PEOPLE, pushing back against what he described as a "manipulative" narrative led by Lively and her associates.
Gottlieb dismissed the countersuit as "vengeful" and is seeking to have it thrown out under California's anti-retaliation statutes tied to public disclosures of workplace harassment. He also confirmed that Lively's legal team will present additional live testimony from witnesses who observed misconduct on set. Documents from Sony Pictures and internal production records will also be introduced.
Among the swirling courtroom speculation is whether Reynolds will be compelled to testify. His name appears in Baldoni's countersuit, but Lively's team has moved to dismiss those claims. "If that happens, he may or may not appear as a fact witness," Gottlieb said, declining further comment.
Baldoni's attorneys have suggested high-profile subpoenas, including those directed at Taylor Swift and Hugh Jackman, could follow. Gottlieb called the tactic "headline bait," warning that "federal courts do not tolerate the exploitation of celebrity status to create spectacle."
Freedman remained defiant. "This isn't about distractions," he said. "It's about the facts, however uncomfortable they may be." While both legal teams head into discovery, the case promises not only legal consequences but also cultural scrutiny over power, fame, and accountability in Hollywood. Jury selection is set to begin in March 2026.
