Insurance company refuses to cover Justin Baldoni legal fees in It Ends With Us lawsuit
Harco argues that the alleged misconduct occurred before the policy became effective in July 2023 and that it was never informed of the complaints made by co-star Blake Lively during the filming. Lively reportedly raised the issues between April and June 2023, months before her formal lawsuit in December 2024. The insurer also claims that Wayfarer failed to disclose these complaints in its 2024 policy renewal application, despite receiving a demand letter in November 2023 and further allegations during a January 2024 meeting.
The lawsuit stems from Lively's accusations against Baldoni and his team of retaliation and harassment, alleging they tried to damage her reputation after she spoke up. Baldoni countersued for $400 million, asserting that Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, orchestrated a smear campaign. The case has drawn Hollywood attention, with Taylor Swift subpoenaed and billionaire Steve Sarowitz backing Baldoni, while Reynolds supports Lively.
According to Harco's complaint, the production company's $2 million coverage for directors, officers, and employment practices is invalidated by these undisclosed prior claims. In June, Harco formally denied coverage, stating the circumstances fall outside the policy's terms.
If the court sides with Harco, Wayfarer and Baldoni could face a six-figure legal burden. The situation has become a high-stakes standoff between wealthy stakeholders, turning what began as a workplace complaint into one of Hollywood's most-watched legal dramas.
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Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Express Tribune
Insurance company refuses to cover Justin Baldoni legal fees in It Ends With Us lawsuit
Justin Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer may face a steep legal bill after their insurer, Harco National Insurance, filed a lawsuit on Monday in New York federal court, stating it has no obligation to cover legal costs tied to sexual harassment allegations on the set of It Ends With Us. Harco argues that the alleged misconduct occurred before the policy became effective in July 2023 and that it was never informed of the complaints made by co-star Blake Lively during the filming. Lively reportedly raised the issues between April and June 2023, months before her formal lawsuit in December 2024. The insurer also claims that Wayfarer failed to disclose these complaints in its 2024 policy renewal application, despite receiving a demand letter in November 2023 and further allegations during a January 2024 meeting. The lawsuit stems from Lively's accusations against Baldoni and his team of retaliation and harassment, alleging they tried to damage her reputation after she spoke up. Baldoni countersued for $400 million, asserting that Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, orchestrated a smear campaign. The case has drawn Hollywood attention, with Taylor Swift subpoenaed and billionaire Steve Sarowitz backing Baldoni, while Reynolds supports Lively. According to Harco's complaint, the production company's $2 million coverage for directors, officers, and employment practices is invalidated by these undisclosed prior claims. In June, Harco formally denied coverage, stating the circumstances fall outside the policy's terms. If the court sides with Harco, Wayfarer and Baldoni could face a six-figure legal burden. The situation has become a high-stakes standoff between wealthy stakeholders, turning what began as a workplace complaint into one of Hollywood's most-watched legal dramas.
Express Tribune
17-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Did Blake Lively just lose a key player in her lawsuit against Justin Baldoni?
Blake Lively's civil rights lawsuit against It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni has suffered a significant setback. A federal judge has dismissed social media PR executive Jed Wallace and his company, Street Relations Inc., from the case, citing a lack of jurisdiction. Judge Lewis Liman ruled on Wednesday that Lively failed to establish that Wallace, who operates out of Texas, could be sued in New York, where the lawsuit was filed. 'The Wallace Defendants are located in Texas, and Lively has not alleged that they are responsible for any act that would subject them to jurisdiction in New York,' the court documents stated. Lively had accused Wallace of working with Baldoni's PR team to orchestrate a 'digital smear campaign' against her. The actress claimed that Wallace 'weaponized a digital army' to seed and promote negative content in retaliation after she filed a sexual harassment and retaliation complaint against Baldoni with the California Civil Rights Department in December 2024. Wallace, who has denied all allegations, filed his own defamation lawsuit against Lively in February. His attorney, Chip Babcock, welcomed the dismissal, stating that Wallace appreciated the judge's 'thoughtful and thorough opinion.' Lively still has the option to pursue her claims against Wallace in a different jurisdiction or amend her complaint. Meanwhile, she is expected to be deposed by Baldoni's legal team later this week. Her legal representatives maintain that Wallace's lawsuit is 'transparent retaliation' for her speaking out and said they look forward to holding him accountable in federal court. This development is part of a larger legal battle unfolding between the two stars of the upcoming film It Ends With Us.
Express Tribune
14-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Justin Baldoni accuses Blake Lively of using stardom to sway legal deposition
The legal battle between It Ends With Us co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has escalated once again. In the latest development, Baldoni has accused Lively of leveraging her celebrity status to manipulate the conditions of her upcoming deposition. According to new court filings, Lively requested her deposition, scheduled for Thursday, be held at her own attorney's office in New York City instead of at Baldoni's legal team's location. She cited concerns about paparazzi ambushing her outside his lawyers' office. However, Baldoni's legal team dismissed her fears, arguing there is no proof she would face such media chaos, particularly since the offices are reportedly only a mile apart. Baldoni's attorney claimed that accommodating Lively's demand would place them at a disadvantage, preventing private legal discussions during the deposition. 'Although Lively's foot-stomping and use of her celebrity status may have enabled her to seize control of the film, which is the crux of this dispute, her counsel's tantrum has no place in this Court,' the statement read. In response, Lively's legal team fired back, accusing Baldoni's lawyer, Bryan Freedman, of attempting to turn the deposition into a media spectacle. The deposition is a key moment in a much bigger case that includes Lively's claims of sexual harassment against Baldoni, alleged to have taken place during production of It Ends With Us. Lively is also suing Baldoni's PR team for allegedly launching a smear campaign. Baldoni has firmly denied all accusations and responded with a countersuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, alleging defamation and extortion. As tensions rise, the case is moving toward a full trial, with both sides gearing up for what promises to be a highly publicized courtroom showdown.
