Blake Lively’s legal dispute with her “It Ends With Us” costar Justin Baldoni is entering a crucial stage as the case edges closer to trial.. The actress is now asking a federal judge to reject efforts to dismiss her claims, arguing that the evidence already collected should be considered before the lawsuit can be thrown out.. Blake Lively Urges Court To Consider Evidence Already Gathered. ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA. Blake Lively is pushing back against attempts by Justin Baldoni and other defendants to have her claims dismissed before trial.. Her legal team recently filed a letter in federal court urging Judge Lewis J. Liman to allow the lawsuit to continue rather than ending it through legal motions.. In the court filing obtained by PEOPLE, Lively’s attorneys referenced a recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.. They argued that the ruling supports their position that courts should examine the evidence gathered during litigation rather than relying solely on the wording of the complaint.. Quoting the appeals court decision, the lawyers wrote that dismissing a complaint under such circumstances “would hardly serve the efficient or just resolution of disputes” if evidence collected during the case may be enough to support the claims.. Lively’s legal team maintains that the same reasoning should apply to her lawsuit.. They say the court should consider the full body of evidence already collected during the discovery process, including documents and testimony, before deciding whether the claims should move forward.. Lively And Baldoni’s Legal Fight Moves Toward Trial. RCF / MEGA. The filing marks the latest development in the ongoing legal dispute tied to the film, “It Ends With Us,” where Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni worked together.. Baldoni and other defendants have filed several motions asking the court to dismiss Lively’s claims.. One of those motions seeks summary judgment, which would allow the judge to decide the case based on the evidence already gathered without sending it to a jury trial.. However, Lively’s attorneys argue that the case deserves to be evaluated through a full trial rather than being resolved prematurely.. If the case proceeds as currently scheduled, both Lively and Baldoni are expected to take the stand.. According to their attorneys, each actor may testify when the trial begins.. For now, the case remains on track for a trial date set for May 18.. Blake Lively Case Heads Toward Critical Pretrial Phase. MEGA. Even though the courtroom showdown appears to be approaching, legal experts say there are still several steps remaining before the trial begins.. Brian C. Stewart, a trial attorney at Parker & McConkie who is not involved in the case, explained that preparations will soon intensify if the case continues toward a jury trial.. “With a trial scheduled to begin on May 18, the parties and the court will move into final pretrial preparations, deciding on witness lists, e
