• Both sides reject final settlement attempt before trial
• Trial scheduled to begin May 18 after most of Lively’s claims were dismissed

The legal battle between actress Blake Lively and actor Justin Baldoni continues after both parties rejected a final attempt at settlement.

This comes just days after the court dismissed most of Lively’s claims, indicating that the case is set to proceed to trial as planned.

On April 6, the lawyers for both sides held separate meetings with Judge Sarah Kief in New York in a new effort to resolve the dispute, according to the Daily Mail.

Judge Louis G. Lehman allowed both parties to update the court on their positions regarding the settlement following their recent court appearances.

On April 2, the court dismissed ten out of thirteen claims Lively had filed against the director of It Ends With Us, including harassment claims, leaving only three remaining: revenge, breach of contract, and aiding in revenge.

Despite these efforts, the recent settlement negotiations failed, as both sides refused to compromise less than a month before the trial’s start.

Sources close to Lively reportedly urged her to consider a settlement after most of her claims were dismissed, telling The Blast that they were “pleading with her” to think about a peaceful resolution.

Other sources noted that her husband, Ryan Reynolds, expressed reservations about moving forward with the trial due to its potential impact on their personal and professional lives.

Nevertheless, Lively appears determined to pursue the case, as reflected in the outcome of the latest settlement talks.

Her attorney, Michael Gottlieb, commented on the court’s decision, saying that most of his client’s claims were dismissed for technical reasons, such as Lively not having signed an employment contract and that the alleged behavior occurred in New Jersey, not California.

Lively posted on Instagram: “I am grateful for the court’s decision allowing me to present the core of my case to a jury next month, and to tell my full story at trial…”

She added, referring to the dangers of “revenge and digital warfare,” emphasizing that she will not stop fighting: “I know standing up for myself is a privilege, and I will not waste it.”

Meanwhile, Baldoni’s legal team expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, describing the remaining claims as “largely limited,” asserting that Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios’ chief Jimmy Heath are good people who did not engage in harassment as alleged.

Both parties’ motives for proceeding to trial differ: attorney Nima Rahmani told another outlet that Lively wants to send a message and defend herself, while Baldoni seeks to clear his name in Hollywood.

Rahmani added that 98% of civil cases are settled, and despite the recent refusal from both sides, a settlement remains possible before, during, or even after the trial.

The trial is scheduled to begin on May 18 in New York.