Hollywood’s latest legal battle between It Ends with Us co-stars Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively has taken an unexpected turn, with Johnny Depp’s lawyer weighing in on Baldoni’s aggressive defense strategy, Today’s Esquire reported.
Attorney Benjamin Chew, who famously represented Depp in his defamation trial against Amber Heard, described Baldoni’s legal approach as “very aggressive” after the actor launched a website detailing his amended complaint and a timeline of relevant events against Lively’s sexual harassment claims.
Baldoni’s Bold Legal Defense Strategy
During an appearance on Law&Crime Sidebar with Jesse Weber on Tuesday, Chew acknowledged the unusual nature of Baldoni’s approach, stating that while it is aggressive, it does not seem to be out of bounds.
“I think it is very aggressive. Usually, you would not do something like that before a hearing, but I’m sure that they vetted it carefully, vetted the material carefully,” Chew explained.
Baldoni’s website, which he launched last week, aims to refute Lively’s allegations and provide what he claims is crucial evidence in his favor. The move has stirred controversy in Hollywood, with some questioning whether the online campaign crosses ethical lines in a high-profile legal battle.
“Posting a pleading doesn’t seem to me to be out of bounds,” Chew said. “These are pleadings made in the public record. … But it’s a novel approach, a bold approach.”
Video and Text Message Evidence Sparks Debate
One of the most heated aspects of the case came when Baldoni released raw footage from the It Ends with Us set, showing him and Lively filming an intimate scene of their characters “falling in love.”
While Baldoni’s team insists the footage proves Lively’s sexual harassment allegations are baseless, her legal representatives argue that the clip is damning evidence against him.
Chew remained neutral when asked who currently has the upper hand in the case but stressed the importance of evidence.
“Having receipts will be particularly persuasive… because everybody can see it,” he noted. He further explained that video and text message evidence could have more weight in court than “assertions of counsel.”
Hollywood’s Legal Drama Intensifies
This legal battle has taken unexpected turns, with revelations that Baldoni hired Melissa Nathan’s crisis PR firm—the same firm that represented Depp during his defamation trial.
Lively’s December 2024 complaint, filed with the California Civil Rights Department, claims that Baldoni, Nathan, and publicist Jennifer Abel orchestrated a smear campaign to destroy her reputation.
The Con Man star and his legal team have strongly denied the accusations, while Lively’s camp continues to push forward with the lawsuit.
The case is set to go to trial in March 2026, and with the involvement of high-profile attorneys and a deepening Hollywood feud, this battle is far from over.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.