Justin Baldoni has fortified his legal arsenal by enlisting Alexandra Shapiro, a defense attorney renowned for representing high-profile clients such as Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. This strategic move comes amid Baldoni’s ongoing legal conflict with It Ends with Us co-star Blake Lively.
According to court filings obtained by Page Six, Shapiro of Shapiro Arato Bach LLP officially appeared as counsel for Baldoni and his co-defendants, which include publicists Melissa Nathan, Jennifer Abel, and Wayfarer Studios CEO Jamey Heath. Shapiro’s courtroom experience is notable. Earlier this year, she represented Diddy in a contentious trial where he was acquitted of s*x trafficking charges but convicted on pr*stitution-related counts.
Her presence on Baldoni’s legal team underscores the seriousness of the case. For the unversed, the legal drama intensifies with Lively accusing Baldoni of creating an uncomfortable work environment on the set of It Ends with Us. Despite these allegations, Baldoni’s lead attorney, Bryan Freedman, remains actively involved in the defense.
Alexandra Shapiro’s Statements in Diddy’s Trial & Other High‑Profile Clients She’s Represented
Alexandra Shapiro’s legal prowess shines through her work defending some of the most headline-grabbing cases in recent years. Besides Diddy, she is representing cryptocurrency figurehead Sam Bankman-Fried, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison and ordered to forfeit $11 billion for orchestrating fraudulent schemes (per Grazia Daily UK).
Per her LinkedIn profile, Shapiro co-founded Shapiro Arato Bach LLP in 2009 after distinguished roles including Assistant U.S. Attorney and Deputy Chief Appellate Attorney in the Southern District of New York. Here’s a snapshot of her professional journey, notable accomplishments, and credentials (via Shapiro Arato Bach website):
In Diddy’s case, Shapiro aggressively advocated for dismissal of racketeering charges. She asserted (per Grazia Daily UK), “There is insufficient proof to establish a single RICO charge in the indictment,” and contended the prosecution failed to demonstrate any criminal enterprise involving Diddy.
She also highlighted that the staff who spoke out about the tough working conditions had the option to jump ship but decided to stay put. Addressing the 2016 CCTV footage showing Diddy’s clash with then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, Shapiro stressed that the authorities were never called to the scene, and no charges ever saw the light of day.
It Ends with Us Lawsuit: Taylor Swift to Testify in Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Legal Battle
Grammy-winning superstar Taylor Swift has agreed to be deposed in the case, according to a letter filed by Justin Baldoni’s lawyer Bryan Freedman (per PEOPLE).
Swift, who is busy releasing her 12th studio album The Life of a Showgirl, on October 3, will only be available for deposition after October 20 due to her demanding professional schedule.
Freedman’s letter to U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman clarifies that the deposition request pertains solely to Swift, pushing back against claims from Lively’s side that the defendants seek a blanket extension on the discovery deadline, which is set for September 30. The court will have to decide if this extension is granted.
Swift’s involvement emerged from Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit alleging defamation and extortion, claims dismissed by the court in June. Baldoni accused Swift and Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, of pressuring him to accept script rewrites, with Lively comparing herself to Khaleesi and calling Reynolds and Swift her “dragons”.
However, Swift’s camp insists she had no involvement in the film’s production or creative decisions.
Sources suggest that the legal entanglement has strained Swift and Lively’s friendship, with speculation swirling around Swift’s song Ruin the Friendship, featured on her forthcoming album.
Will Swift’s deposition open floodgates to more celebrity fallout? And what do you think about Alexandra Shapiro stepping into this firestorm? Could her track record with Diddy reshape this case’s outcome? Drop your thoughts below!
Stay tuned with FandomWire for more updates as the legal drama unfolds.
It Ends with Us is currently available on Netflix.
