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Justin Baldoni's Wayfarer Studios is back in court, this time as the defendant. The New York Times has filed a lawsuit seeking to recover legal fees from Baldoni's defamation case, which was dismissed earlier this year.
The complaint, filed Sept. 30 in New York Supreme Court, argues that Wayfarer Studios pursued claims without merit, triggering protections under the state's anti-SLAPP law. The filing states The Times is entitled to compensatory and punitive damages, pointing to costs that it says already exceed $150,000.
The dispute stems from Baldoni's countersuit filed alongside his high-profile legal battle with Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and publicist Leslie Sloane. Baldoni had accused the group and The Times of defamation tied to misconduct allegations. But on June 9, Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed the claims entirely, noting the allegations failed to meet the legal standard for defamation.
"The Wayfarer Parties have not alleged facts that would show serious doubts about the truth of the statements," Judge Liman wrote, concluding the claims against all parties "must be dismissed in their entirety."
The Times has consistently defended its coverage of Lively's December 2024 complaint, which accused Baldoni of harassment and retaliation. A spokesperson previously described its reporting as "meticulous and responsible."
Baldoni's attorney, Bryan Freedman, struck a defiant tone after the new lawsuit. "Win, lose, or draw, we refuse to cave to power brokers even in the face of seemingly impossible odds," he said in a statement. "If the laws protect legacy media in this manner, perhaps it's up to us to ignite change."
The setback for Baldoni follows the dismissal of his $400 million countersuit against Lively and her team. Still, parts of the actress's original case remain active, with a trial set for March 2026. Both Lively and Baldoni are expected to testify.
For The Times, the new lawsuit represents not just a financial claim but a broader defense of press freedom. Its filing reads: "Wayfarer commenced and continued the lawsuit without a substantial basis in fact or law, in an effort to punish and intimidate protected speech."
