Justin Baldoni is taking a bold approach in his legal battle with Blake Lively, but not everyone thinks it’s the best move. Johnny Depp’s attorney, Benjamin Chew, has shared his thoughts on Baldoni’s strategy, calling it “very aggressive” and even issuing a subtle warning about its potential risks.
Baldoni, best known for his role in Jane the Virgin, is currently facing serious allegations from Gossip Girl star Blake Lively. In response, he launched a website detailing his defense, including an amended complaint and a “timeline of relevant events” meant to counter Lively’s sexual harassment claims.
Appearing on Law&Crime Sidebar with Jesse Weber, Chew—who famously represented Depp in his high-profile defamation trial against Amber Heard—was asked about Baldoni’s unconventional strategy.
“I think it’s very aggressive,” Chew said, referring to the website and its detailed breakdown of Baldoni’s side of the story. “Usually, you would not do something like that before a hearing, but I’m sure they vetted it carefully.”
Chew did acknowledge that the information Baldoni shared is part of the public record, meaning legally, he’s within his rights. However, he also noted that such a bold public move before an official court hearing is unusual.
“Certainly, posting a pleading doesn’t seem to me to be out of bounds,” Chew explained. “These are pleadings made in the public record.”
Still, his choice of words—calling Baldoni’s move “bold”—suggests that the actor is treading risky waters. When asked which side he thought had the upper hand in the lawsuit, Chew remained neutral, declining to make any predictions.
With both Lively’s lawsuit and Baldoni’s countersuits heading to court, the legal battle is far from over. A trial date has been set for March 2026, leaving plenty of time for more legal twists and turns.
As this high-profile case unfolds, one thing is clear—Baldoni’s decision to take his defense public is turning heads, and whether it helps or hurts his case remains to be seen.