Legal tensions surrounding Justin Baldoni continue to unfold in federal court. One day after failing to reach a settlement with Blake Lively, the actor-director appeared again in New York — this time for a separate lawsuit that does not involve his former “It Ends With Us” co-star.
On Thursday, Baldoni, 42, arrived at federal court in New York City alongside his wife, Emily Baldoni, for a court-ordered settlement conference tied to an ongoing dispute with his former publicist, Stephanie Jones.
The appearance marked the second consecutive day Baldoni was present in court, though the matters are legally distinct.
Separate Lawsuit Against Former Publicist
Blake Lively, 38, is not connected to this case and did not attend Thursday’s hearing. The current proceeding centers on litigation between Baldoni and Stephanie Jones, who previously handled his publicity.
Jones filed a lawsuit in December 2024 against Baldoni and his crisis communications team. The complaint alleged breach of contract along with other related claims. That filing set off a broader legal conflict involving multiple parties.
In March 2025, Baldoni and his publicist Jennifer Abel responded with their own lawsuit against Jones. According to court filings, they accused Jones of violating client confidentiality by sharing private communications. Those communications later surfaced as evidence in a separate lawsuit filed by Lively, adding another layer to the dispute.
The settlement conference held Thursday was mandated by the court and aimed at determining whether the matter could be resolved without trial.
Mediation Ends Without Resolution
Baldoni’s return to court came just one day after he and Lively failed to settle their own high-profile legal battle. The former co-stars attended a court-ordered mediation session on Wednesday in federal court regarding Lively’s sexual harassment lawsuit against Baldoni.
The mediation session lasted approximately six hours before Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave. Despite extended discussions, the parties did not reach an agreement, a source confirmed to PEOPLE.
Settlement conferences are a routine part of federal civil litigation. They provide both sides an opportunity to resolve disputes before proceeding to trial. In this case, no resolution was achieved.
The presiding judge, Lewis J. Liman, has not yet ruled on Baldoni’s pending motion for summary judgment, which could potentially narrow or dismiss certain claims before trial.
Public Statements and Trial Outlook
Following the unsuccessful mediation, Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, confirmed that no deal had been reached. When asked whether the case — Lively v. Wayfarer Studios et al. — is expected to proceed to trial, Freedman told Variety, “I do. We’re looking forward to it.”
The legal battle between Baldoni and Lively began in December 2024. Lively filed a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and retaliation related to their work on “It Ends With Us.” Baldoni denied the allegations and later filed a $400 million countersuit. That countersuit has since been dismissed.
Lively has claimed she suffered financial losses totaling $161 million, which she attributes to what she described as a retaliatory smear campaign.
Ongoing Legal Challenges
With multiple lawsuits unfolding at the same time, Baldoni’s legal situation remains complex. One case focuses on allegations tied to his former publicist and the handling of private communications. The other centers on serious claims brought by a former co-star from “It Ends With Us.”
As both matters move through federal court, key rulings and potential trial dates will shape the next phase of these disputes. For now, settlement efforts in at least one of the cases have failed, signaling that extended courtroom proceedings may lie ahead.
Justin Baldoni’s latest court appearance underscores the layered legal challenges surrounding both his professional and public life. While the dispute with former publicist Stephanie Jones proceeds independently, the unresolved mediation with Blake Lively signals that their case may head toward trial.
With a May 18 trial date set and motions still pending, the coming months are likely to determine how these high-profile legal battles unfold.
