Who Is Michael Gottlieb, Blake Lively’s Lawyer?

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Michael Gottlieb, the lawyer representing Blake Lively, has garnered noticeable interest in the ongoing legal dispute between him and Justin Baldoni. With the case gaining wider public interest, many are intrigued to learn more about him and his involvement in the situation.

Here are more details.

Who is Michael Gottlieb?

Michael Gottlieb serves as Blake Lively’s main lawyer in her high-profile lawsuit against Justin Baldoni. Regarded as one of the country’s leading lawyers, Gottlieb is a partner at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP. In this law firm, he holds significant positions such as Head of the Crisis Management Group and Co-Head of both the Media & First Amendment and Strategic Motions & Appeals Practice Groups. Throughout his career, he has represented numerous Fortune 500 companies, prominent financial institutions, budding tech businesses, and foreign governments.

Presently, Gottlieb is managing the case following Lively’s sexual harassment lawsuit filed against Baldoni in December 2024. Subsequently, Baldoni retaliated with a defamation claim worth $400 million, implicating Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist Leslie Sloane. In a court document dated May 14, 2025, Freedman accused Lively of pressuring Taylor Swift to publicly endorse her and demanded that the pop star delete private messages. Freedman also alleged that Gottlieb contacted Swift’s legal team, implying a threat to disclose personal texts if Swift didn’t issue a favorable statement. However, Lively’s lawyers have firmly rejected these allegations.

Beyond these accusations, Gottlieb has publicly expressed his disapproval towards Baldoni’s legal approach, which seeks to include unconnected celebrities such as Blake Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, and Taylor Swift. He deemed the subpoenas as unnecessary and a tactic aimed at generating media interest. In an interview with People, Gottlieb highlighted, “It remains totally ambiguous how any claims or defenses these celebrities might have, if any, relate to this case whatsoever.

Additionally, it has been confirmed by Gottlieb that Lively will provide testimony during the trial, which he describes as a crucial opportunity for her to express her perspective. He explained, “The most significant moment for a plaintiff’s narrative to unfold is at trial. In this case, we anticipate that she will be a witness at her own trial.

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2025-05-16 15:40