Blake Lively has brought on Sigrid McCawley, an attorney known for representing victims of Jeffrey Epstein, to strengthen her ongoing legal battle against director Justin Baldoni. This significant development comes as Lively’s lawsuit, alleging sexual harassment on the set of the film It Ends With Us, moves closer to trial in New York.
New Legal Counsel Joins Blake Lively’s Team
In an effort to bolster her case, Blake Lively recently added Sigrid McCawley to her legal team. McCawley, a managing partner at Boies Schiller Flexner, has previously represented victims of Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, including Virginia Giuffre, who publicly accused former Prince Andrew of sexual assault. McCawley will specifically oversee communications with the media and the public regarding the lawsuit.
It is a privilege to get to work with Blake Lively’s world-class legal team on a case that at its core is about a woman who was subjected to a hostile work environment and is being attacked for standing up to protect herself and other female co-workers,
McCawley said in a statement to People magazine.
Lively’s existing attorneys, Mike Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, expressed strong support for her new legal addition, praising McCawley’s dedication and experience.
We recruited Sigrid based on her many years of work speaking truth to power, including her courageous representation of Jeffrey Epstein’s victims, and have no doubt her experience will serve the team well,
Gottlieb and Hudson told People.
Background on the Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Justin Baldoni
The dispute began months after the release of It Ends With Us, a film both directed by and starring Justin Baldoni. In December 2024, Blake Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni and his studio Wayfarer, accusing the director of sexual harassment during the movie’s production. She also alleged that Baldoni and his associates orchestrated a coordinated press and digital campaign aimed at damaging her reputation following her accusations.
McCawley’s History Representing High-Profile Abuse Victims
Sigrid McCawley’s role in Brooke Lively’s legal battle is notable because of her established record representing survivors of sexual abuse. Her work includes litigation tied to Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking network and legal cases involving Ghislaine Maxwell. McCawley notably represented the late Virginia Giuffre during her lawsuit against Prince Andrew, spotlighting her experience in handling sensitive and high-stakes cases involving powerful figures.
Possible Implications for Blake Lively’s Legal Battle
Adding a lawyer with McCawley’s pedigree indicates that Blake Lively’s team is preparing for a challenging and prolonged legal process. Given the high-profile nature of the allegations and the involvement of major industry figures, this case has drawn significant public attention and could impact how harassment claims are handled in Hollywood productions.
As the trial approaches, McCawley’s expertise in managing public discourse may help control the narrative surrounding the lawsuit’s sensitive and intense subject matter. The case also highlights ongoing concerns about workplace abuses in entertainment, reflecting broader industry conversations about accountability and protection for women.
