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Blake Lively is using a relatively new California law to bring Justin Baldoni back to court in an effort to recoup legal fees. The woman responsible for the law has voiced her issues with Lively’s decision.
Attorney Victoria Burke, who authored California’s survivor-protection law (Civil Code Section 47.1) after learning that she could be sued for defamation if she publicly discussed her own sexual assault, appeared on The Megyn Kelly Show to push back on how Blake Lively’s legal team is deploying it. California’s survivor-protection law was put into effect in 2024.
The lawyer who wrote the law that Blake Lively is using in an effort to recoup her legal fees ripped the actress’ manipulation of it
“Never thought my bill would be in the eye of a story with all eyes watching,” Burke wrote on Instagram. “As the architect of the bill, I strongly believe in the constitutionality of my bill. Unhappy with it being weaponized as a PR redemption tool by Blake Lively and her team. Honestly, I don’t think the judge should grant attorney fees in this matter.”
The intention of the law, as Burke explained, was to protect people who come forward with allegations of sexual assault, harassment, and discrimination, and “not to eliminate access to the courts for those who claim they’ve been falsely accused,” per TMZ.
“I was worried that this was going to become just a PR campaign for her, and it wasn’t going to be about survivors anymore. I didn’t want her to turn my bill into the Met Gala. I asked for that portion to be removed because I felt the focus should be on survivors purely because attorneys have insurance,” Burke told Megyn Kelly.
“When I heard the settlement had been reached, I thought for sure they would have resolved that as well during that settlement. Then to hear it was continuing on… I was puzzled.”
BREAKING 🚨 Victoria’s Burke speaks ! She says Blake LIVELY wanted to take over nationalizing the 47.1 as the face of the law (PR stunt ) but Victoria told Blake’s lawyer no” your client is compared to Amber Heard” 😭 Blake also wanted to add an additional paragraph to the law… pic.twitter.com/NFyfFa8aqj
— CJ·Celebrity Dockets (@CelebDockets) June 2, 2026
Lively and Baldoni reached a settlement — in which no money nor apologies were exchanged — back in early May, just a day before their trial was set to begin. In 2024, Lively filed suit against Baldoni alleging sexual harassment on set and a coordinated smear campaign. Baldoni then filed a $400 million countersuit alleging defamation.
In the wake of the settlement, Lively has not only seen a dent in her public image but also her wallet, as major retailers such as Target and Whole Foods have seemingly been pulling her consumer brand products from their shelves.