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Blake Lively Enlists Crisis Manager Amid Legal Battle
Blake Lively has recently appointed crisis management expert Nick Shapiro to her legal team as she continues her battle against former co-star and director Justin Baldoni regarding allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation.
Shapiro, who brings a wealth of experience from his tenure with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), previously served as a senior counterterrorism and Homeland Security advisor under former President Barack Obama. In his new role, he will provide strategic guidance on legal communications for Lively.
According to a statement from Lively’s legal team to TheWrap, “The litigation team for Ms. Lively retained Mr. Shapiro to advise on the legal communications strategy for the ongoing sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit occurring in the Southern District of New York.”
With over 15 years of expertise in crisis public relations, Shapiro’s background includes serving as deputy chief of staff for the CIA and national security spokesperson during the Obama administration. His notable contributions include orchestrating responses to major events such as the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting and the Boston Marathon bombing.
This development follows Lively’s recent submission of a letter through her attorney, Michael J. Gottlieb, which revealed that her family, witnesses, and fellow cast members have faced threatening messages due to their support of the actress.
In the letter directed to Judge Lewis Liman of the Southern District Court of New York, Gottlieb stated, “As detailed in Ms. Lively’s amended complaint, Ms. Lively, her family, other members of the cast, various fact witnesses, and individuals that have spoken out publicly in support of Ms. Lively have received violent, profane, sexist and threatening communications.” He also requested “additional protections” for those involved.
The trial is currently scheduled to commence in March 2026.
Source
www.thewrap.com