Blake Lively is entering the next phase of her legal battle with a notable addition to her team — one that signals how seriously the actress is preparing for what lies ahead.
As her lawsuit against actor and producer Justin Baldoni moves closer to trial, Lively has retained Sigrid McCawley, a nationally recognized attorney known for representing survivors in some of the most closely watched abuse cases of the past decade. The move comes at a critical moment, as the court prepares to unseal additional records and consider motions that could shape the scope of the case before it reaches a jury.
While McCawley will not be leading courtroom arguments, her role is strategic and highly visible. She has been brought on to manage public and media communications related to the case — an increasingly important function as public scrutiny intensifies and previously sealed evidence is expected to come into focus.
A Legal Team Built for a High-Stakes Fight
Lively, 38, is already represented by attorneys Mike Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, who have guided the case through months of contentious legal maneuvering. Discovery disputes, sealed filings, and subpoena battles have marked the pretrial process in the Southern District of New York, underscoring the complexity and sensitivity of the claims involved.
Adding McCawley to the team expands that expertise beyond the courtroom. As managing partner at Boies Schiller Flexner, McCawley has built a reputation as a lawyer who understands how legal strategy and public accountability intersect — particularly in cases involving allegations of workplace misconduct and power imbalances.
In a statement, McCawley framed the case as one with broader implications beyond a single dispute. She described it as centering on a woman who alleges she faced a hostile work environment and retaliation after speaking up — a narrative that resonates in a post-#MeToo industry still reckoning with accountability and transparency.
Why Sigrid McCawley’s Background Matters
McCawley is widely known for her work representing survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, including Virginia Giuffre. Her litigation helped expose systemic abuse and contributed to high-profile settlements and criminal prosecutions that reshaped public understanding of institutional failures.
That history matters in the context of Lively’s case. While the allegations are distinct, the themes — power dynamics, workplace conduct, and public pushback against accusers — are familiar territory for McCawley.
Her experience navigating cases that unfold simultaneously in courtrooms and headlines positions her as a key figure as this dispute enters a more public phase. With depositions, text messages, and internal records expected to be unsealed, controlling misinformation and contextualizing evidence will be essential for both sides.
The Allegations at the Center of the Case
The lawsuit stems from Lively’s experience working on It Ends With Us, a film project associated with Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios. In late 2024, Lively filed suit alleging sexual harassment and retaliation related to the production. Baldoni has denied the allegations.
In response, Baldoni filed a countersuit accusing Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, of defamation and extortion. That countersuit was later dismissed by a judge, narrowing the legal fight back to Lively’s original claims.
The case has already had ripple effects beyond the primary parties. McCawley previously represented Leslie Sloane, Lively’s publicist, after Baldoni countersued her as well. That claim was dismissed in June 2025 by Judge Lewis Liman, further shaping the legal landscape surrounding the dispute.
A Trial Timeline That Keeps Shifting
Originally scheduled for March, the trial has been pushed to May 2026, reflecting both the volume of evidence involved and the intensity of pretrial motions.
An upcoming hearing on January 22 is expected to be a pivotal moment. The judge will hear arguments on Baldoni’s motion for summary judgment, which seeks to dismiss some or all of Lively’s claims before they reach a jury. If denied, the case will move fully into trial preparation mode.
During a May 2025 court hearing, Lively’s attorneys confirmed what many observers expected: Lively herself plans to testify.
For plaintiffs, testimony is often the emotional and narrative core of a trial. In this case, it underscores how personal the allegations are and how central Lively’s firsthand account will be to the proceedings.
The Defense Has Also Leveled Up
Lively’s legal moves have not gone unanswered. Baldoni’s team was strengthened in late 2024 with the addition of Alexandra Shapiro, a defense attorney known for representing high-profile clients, including Sean “Diddy” Combs.
The involvement of top-tier legal talent on both sides reflects what is at stake — reputationally, professionally, and financially. It also signals that neither party is treating the case as a quiet settlement matter. Instead, it is shaping up as a fully contested trial with national attention.
Public Narrative Meets Legal Strategy
High-profile lawsuits involving celebrities often play out on two stages at once: the courtroom and the court of public opinion. By assigning McCawley to oversee public-facing communications, Lively’s team is acknowledging that reality head-on.
This does not mean turning the case into a media spectacle. Rather, it reflects an effort to ensure that when information becomes public — through court filings or unsealed evidence — it is presented with context and clarity.
For an industry long criticized for closing ranks around powerful figures, the way this case is communicated may be almost as consequential as how it is ultimately decided.
What This Case Represents Beyond the Parties Involved
At its core, the lawsuit taps into ongoing conversations about workplace culture in Hollywood, particularly on film sets where power hierarchies can be pronounced and oversight uneven.
Regardless of the eventual verdict, the case highlights how disputes over conduct, accountability, and retaliation are increasingly litigated in open court rather than handled quietly behind closed doors. The presence of attorneys known for advocacy in systemic abuse cases reinforces that shift.
As the trial date approaches, the legal strategies, public statements, and judicial rulings will likely continue to draw attention — not just because of the names involved, but because of what the outcome could signal for similar disputes in the entertainment industry.
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