A Manatt team led by Esra Hudson, Stephanie Roeser and Matthew Bruno helped secure a major victory for Blake Lively in her ongoing legal case against Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer with a judge dismissing Baldoni’s countersuit against Lively and his lawsuit against the New York Times. Today, the court dismissed all claims against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, both of whom are represented by Manatt.

“Today's opinion is a total victory and a complete vindication for Blake Lively, along with those that Justin Baldoni and the Wayfarer Parties dragged into their retaliatory lawsuit, including Ryan Reynolds, Leslie Sloane and The New York Times,” Hudson said. “As we have said from day one, this ‘$400 million’ lawsuit was a sham, and the Court saw right through it. We look forward to the next round, which is seeking attorneys' fees, treble damages and punitive damages against Baldoni, Sarowitz, Nathan, and the other Wayfarer Parties who perpetrated this abusive litigation.”

Manatt has represented Lively since the inception of this matter, which began with her filing a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department in December over sexual harassment she faced and the subsequent retaliation while working on the film It Ends With Us. Lively’s suit against Baldoni is scheduled for trial in March 2026.

Learn more about the decision here.

Manatt Partner Greg Pimstone and Associates David Boyadzhyan, Patrice Ruane and Brent Dinino filed an amicus brief on behalf of two retired judges in a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals case surrounding the significant challenges within the juvenile dependency court system that create barriers preventing vulnerable youths from receiving adequate support. 

The case, Ocean S. v. Los Angeles County, was brought by seven young adults in the Los Angeles foster care system against the County and five Los Angeles County departments, alleging that the agencies failed to provide legally required housing, mental health care, and support services to transition age foster youth, many of whom have experienced complex trauma and have disabilities. In the amicus brief, which was filed on behalf of retired judges Hon. William A. Thorne and Hon. Margaret S. Henry, Manatt detailed the systemic limitations and resource constraints that hinder the delivery of consistent and effective care, necessitating broader reforms beyond individual court cases. 

“Youths within the dependency court system are entitled to consistent and adequate support to address these issues, but the system is failing them,” they wrote in the brief. “Despite their earnest efforts, state dependency court judges lack the authority, resources, and enforcement power to correct systemic failures. … Thus, federal intervention is necessary to address the systemic issues identified by the Plaintiffs in this litigation.” 

Manatt Partner Ben Shatz and Summer Associate Alexandra Quintana also supported the brief. 

Read the full amicus brief here. 

Manatt was named as one of Bloomberg Law’s inaugural Leading Law Firms of 2025, ranking in the top 90^th percentile of firms with under $500 million in annual revenue. The list recognizes firms that excel in financial strength, talent, growth, and business and innovation.

Bloomberg Law subscribers can see the full list here.