Blake Lively has taken a strategic step in her ongoing legal battle against Justin Baldoni by hiring Nick Shapiro, a former deputy chief of staff at the CIA, as her crisis PR manager.

The actress, known for her roles in Gossip Girl and It Ends With Us, is currently involved in a high-profile lawsuit against Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment and retaliation.

In response, Baldoni has countersued Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, seeking substantial damages.

A High-Stakes Legal Dispute

Lively, 37, has accused Baldoni, 41, of inappropriate behavior during the production of It Ends With Us,

including unwanted physical contact, body shaming, and orchestrating a smear campaign against her.

She claims that after she spoke out, Baldoni and his associates retaliated by attempting to tarnish her public image.

Baldoni, in turn, has filed a $400 million lawsuit against Lively and Reynolds, alleging that they deliberately worked to damage his reputation. Additionally, he has sued The New York Times for $250 million, claiming the publication misrepresented events in its reporting on the allegations.

Nick Shapiro Joins Lively’s Team

In an effort to manage public perception and navigate the legal complexities, Lively’s team has brought in Nick Shapiro. His background includes serving as a senior advisor to the CIA director and working on counterterrorism and homeland security issues during the Obama administration.

Lively’s legal team confirmed the decision, stating, “The litigation team for Ms. Lively retained Mr. Shapiro to advise on the legal communications strategy for the ongoing sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit occurring in the Southern District of New York.”

Shapiro has extensive experience in crisis management and has worked on high-profile national security cases, including responses to major incidents like the Boston Marathon bombing and the Sandy Hook shooting. Since leaving government service, he has focused on crisis public relations, founding 10th Avenue Consulting in 2015.

Both Sides Bolster Their PR Strategies

Lively’s decision to hire Shapiro comes months after Baldoni brought on his own crisis PR specialist, Melissa Nathan. Nathan previously worked for Hiltzik Strategies, where she represented Johnny Depp during his highly publicized defamation trial against Amber Heard. After launching her own firm, The Agency Group, she has continued to work with prominent figures, including musicians and Hollywood celebrities.

With both parties assembling strong crisis management teams, the legal dispute is not just playing out in court but also in the court of public opinion.

Recent Court Rulings

The battle between Lively and Baldoni has taken several legal turns, including a recent court ruling on evidence disclosure. Lively had requested access to Baldoni’s text messages and call records dating back to December 2022, aiming to gather information about his alleged retaliation campaign against her. However, a New York court ruled against this request, deeming it overly broad and intrusive.

Judge Lewis Liman noted that Lively’s claims of retaliation primarily involved incidents from 2024, making older communications less relevant. While the judge rejected the broad request, he did not entirely dismiss her right to seek certain records, suggesting she could refine her request.

The Origins of the Dispute

The legal battle began when Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, later escalating it into a federal lawsuit. She alleged that Baldoni acted inappropriately during their time filming It Ends With Us, including an incident where he allegedly entered her trailer while she was undressed and another where he improvised an intimate scene in a way she found unacceptable.

These allegations gained widespread media attention, particularly after The New York Times published an investigative article that detailed Lively’s claims and the alleged smear campaign against her. The report quoted a message from Baldoni’s publicist stating, “We can bury anyone,” which further fueled the controversy.

Baldoni’s Counterclaims

Baldoni has denied all allegations, arguing that Lively and Reynolds conspired to undermine him. He asserts that any negative press he has received was not due to a coordinated attack but rather a natural response to the ongoing litigation. His lawsuit against The New York Times claims the publication relied too heavily on Lively’s version of events while ignoring evidence that contradicted her claims.

In addition to his legal filings, Baldoni has launched a website to present what he claims is the truth about the case, featuring court documents and private communications between him and Lively. His team argues that these records demonstrate his innocence and expose an alleged attempt by Lively’s team to manipulate the media narrative.

What’s Next?

With a trial date set for March 2026, the legal fight between Lively and Baldoni is far from over. The case continues to unfold with new revelations and legal maneuvers from both sides. Lively’s hiring of Nick Shapiro signals her commitment to defending her claims and managing the intense public scrutiny surrounding the case. Meanwhile, Baldoni’s countersuit and media strategy indicate that he is equally determined to fight back.

As the legal drama escalates, both sides remain locked in a battle that extends beyond the courtroom and into the realm of public relations, shaping how their reputations will be perceived in the long run.