Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively's attempt to reach a settlement has apparently failed, and the former costars are likely still heading to trial. Baldoni's lawyer Bryan Freedman told Deadline while outside Manhattan's Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse on Wednesday, February 11, that the parties' court-ordered settlement discussion earlier that day was "unsuccessful." He noted that "there's always a chance" of a settlement but added that he didn't know whether Baldoni, 42, and Lively, 38, would resume talks about a potential pretrial deal. When asked further about the trial, which is set to begin May 18, Freedman said he is "looking forward to it." Baldoni and Lively were in court on Wednesday for a private conference with Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave to see whether they could reach an agreement without going to trial. Baldoni arrived at the courthouse in New York City with his wife, Emily, while Lively entered solo. Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Arrive in Court for Conference Before Trial The conference came after Judge Lewis J. Liman suggested in December 2025 that the parties attempt to settle their differences outside the courtroom in light of their potential trial being postponed. The duo's legal battle began in December 2024 when Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment and orchestrating an alleged smear campaign against her after they filmed It Ends With Us. Baldoni directed and starred opposite Lively in the movie, which hit theaters in August 2024 and was based on Colleen Hoover's novel of the same name. Baldoni denied the allegations and subsequently countersued Lively and The New York Times, which ran a story about her lawsuit, but his suit was dismissed in June 2025. Justin and Emily Baldoni ANGELA WEISS / AFP The civil trial for Lively's suit was originally set to begin in March but was pushed to May because Judge Liman is also handling two criminal trials at the moment. As he told Lively and Baldoni last year, "As important as this case is ... criminal trials take precedent." That same month, attorneys for both Lively and Baldoni stated that they planned to keep fighting for their clients as the case hit its one-year anniversary. Justin Baldoni Is 'Devastated Financially' After Blake Lively Battle "One year ago, Blake Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department to continue to stand up for a safe workplace after the experiences she and others had on the film It Ends With Us," Lively's lawyers Mike Gottlieb and Esra Hudson told Us Weekly on December 22, 2025. "Over the past year, Blake has persevered against a billionaire-financed effort to try to 'bury' her, her family and businesses through retaliatory lawsuits and a relentless media and digital campaign. With their retaliatory lawsuits dismissed and only her claims set for trial in May, Ms. Lively is more determined than ever to shine a light on the forces that work behind the scenes to silence and discredit women who dare speak up." Freedman, meanwhile, shared a message of gratitude on behalf of Baldoni, telling Us, "My clients are deeply grateful for the support and kind words they've received over the past year. We trust that the truth will ultimately prevail, and the care that so many have shown has been a meaningful source of strength during an incredibly challenging time."