SAB appeared before Judge Lewis Liman and argued for summary judgment in favor of Justin Baldoni and his co-defendants, in the lawsuit brought by Blake Lively. SAB challenged the factual and legal sufficiency of Ms. Lively’s sexual harassment and retaliation claims, addressing, among other things, how standards should be applied in the context of making a romantic and sensuous film. SAB also addressed other important issues, such as the distinction between an ordinary employee and an independent contractor, and to what extent a lawyer’s statements in support of a client can be considered grounds for defamation. Jonathan Bach and Alexandra Shapiro handled the oral argument, and co-authored the briefs, which can be found here and here, with Alice Buttrick.
Press coverage of the argument can be found here, here, and here.