One of the most widely publicized entertainment industry disputes in recent years arose from allegations and counter-allegations stemming from the production of the film It Ends With Us. Blake Lively asserted claims relating to alleged workplace misconduct and retaliation, while Justin Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and related parties denied those allegations and filed a $400 million countersuit alleging defamation and related claims against Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and others. In June 2025, the court dismissed the countersuit in its entirety, a significant ruling that narrowed the issues in dispute and reshaped the litigation. The remaining claims proceeded through extensive discovery, motion practice, and pretrial proceedings before the parties ultimately reached a confidential settlement shortly before a jury trial that was expected to last several weeks. Following the settlement, the court awarded attorneys’ fees associated with defending against the previously dismissed countersuit.
DOAR provided jury consulting and trial strategy support services to counsel representing Blake Lively throughout the litigation. Our team conducted pretrial research incorporating demonstrative graphics and deposition video clips to evaluate case themes, witness credibility, and juror reactions to competing narratives in a matter that received extraordinary public attention. DOAR also developed demographic profiles of preferred jurors and assisted in developing a supplemental juror questionnaire in anticipation of the scheduled jury trial.
