Legal disputes involving celebrities may feel far removed from everyday life—but the legal rights and principles behind them affect regular people in New York every single day.
In a recent episode of the Litigious podcast, attorneys discussed three big topics making headlines:
- The latest developments in the Blake Lively / Justin Baldoni lawsuit involving sexual harassment and retaliation claims
- A $52 million verdict after a woman died at a cosmetic clinic
- And how non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are being used in everything from Hollywood to workplaces and even private events
Here’s what all of this means for New York consumers and employees, in plain English.
1. The Blake Lively Lawsuit: What Is a “Motion for Summary Judgment”?
In the lawsuit involving the film It Ends With Us, the defendants recently filed something called a motion for summary judgment.
In simple terms, this means:
“Even if we assume everything the plaintiff says is true, the law still says she doesn’t have a case—and this should never go to trial.”
This type of motion usually happens after all evidence is exchanged (documents, emails, text messages, depositions).
The court then decides:
- Is there a real legal issue for a jury to decide?
- Or can the judge end the case now?
2. Sexual Harassment in New York: What Actually Counts?
Under federal law (Title VII) and New York law, workplace sexual harassment must usually be severe or pervasive enough to:
Change the terms and conditions of your job and make it hard to work.
Important things to know:
- The standard is both subjective and objective:
- You must feel it’s hostile
- And a reasonable person must agree
- You must also show you were targeted because of a protected status (like sex, race, disability, etc.)
- The law is not a “civility code” — being a jerk or creating a toxic workplace is not automatically illegal
Good News for New Yorkers
New York State law has lowered the standard for hostile work environment claims. You no longer always need to prove conduct was “severe and pervasive.” That makes it easier for employees in New York to bring harassment claims than in many other states.
Still, context matters. Courts will look at:
- The type of workplace (for example, a movie set vs. a bank office)
- The nature of the conduct
- Whether it was really because of gender (or another protected status)
3. Retaliation Claims: Often Stronger Than the Original Case
In many employment cases, retaliation is actually easier to prove than discrimination.
Retaliation means:
You complained about something illegal, and your employer punished you for it.
Examples:
- You report harassment → you get fired
- You file a complaint → you get demoted or sidelined
But legally, retaliation has a higher burden of proof:
You must show:
“This bad thing happened because I complained.”
This is called “but-for causation.”
Timing matters a lot. If punishment happens right after a complaint, that helps your case. If it happens months or years later, it becomes much harder to prove.
In the Blake Lively case, one of the big arguments is that:
- The alleged retaliation happened far after the complaint
- And may be tied to creative and business disputes, not the complaint itself
4. Why All Those Private Texts Became Public
When lawsuits are filed, almost everything becomes discoverable:
- Text messages
- Emails
- DMs
- Group chats
If it’s even remotely relevant, lawyers can ask for it.
This is why lawyers often tell clients:
Never text or email about an ongoing legal dispute. Assume a judge will read it someday.
That’s exactly what happened here—private messages involving celebrities and famous friends became public court records. And yes… it’s often embarrassing.
5. The $52 Million Cosmetic Clinic Death: A Scary Warning
In Georgia, a judge awarded $52 million after a woman died during a cosmetic procedure at a so-called “pop-up” clinic.
The horrifying part?
The clinic allegedly had no proper medical malpractice insurance, meaning the family may never actually collect the money.
Why This Matters in New York
New York has recently started cracking down on illegal med spas and unlicensed medical practice.
Many people don’t realize that in New York:
- Botox, fillers, laser procedures, liposuction, and many treatments require a medical license
- Not all “med spas” are legally or safely operating
If something goes wrong and the facility has no insurance, you could win a lawsuit and still get nothing.
Consumer tip: Always check who is performing your procedure and whether the facility is properly licensed and insured.
6. Wrongful Death in New York: The Law Is Outdated
New York has one of the most outdated wrongful death laws in the country.
Currently, New York mostly allows:
- Only economic damages (lost income, financial support)
That means:
- The death of a child, retiree, or disabled person is considered “worth less” under the law
- Families cannot recover for their own grief and emotional suffering
The Grieving Families Act would change this—but it has been vetoed multiple times by the Governor.
This affects:
- Nursing home cases
- Medical malpractice cases
- And cases involving children and the elderly
7. NDAs and Non-Disparagement Agreements: Not Just for Celebrities
Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and non-disparagement clauses are everywhere:
- Employment contracts
- Settlement agreements
- Corporate deals
- And apparently… even celebrity weddings
These agreements often include:
- Huge financial penalties
- Attorney’s fees clauses
Which means:
If you break one, you could be sued into financial ruin.
In New York Employment Cases
New York law:
- Limits how NDAs can be used in harassment and discrimination settlements
- Prohibits automatic penalty clauses in some situations
- Employers must often prove real damages
Still, these agreements are powerful fear and silence tools.
8. The Big Takeaways for New Yorkers
- Not every bad workplace is illegal—but harassment and retaliation often are
- Retaliation claims can be stronger than the original complaint
- Never assume your texts and emails are private in a legal dispute
- Be extremely careful with cosmetic and med spa procedures
- Always check licensing and insurance
- NDAs are serious legal contracts—don’t sign them casually
- New York’s wrongful death law is outdated and often unfair to families
Need Legal Help in New York?
If you believe you’ve experienced:
- Workplace harassment or retaliation
- Medical negligence
- Or you’re being pressured to sign an NDA or settlement agreement
It’s worth speaking with a New York plaintiff-side attorney before making any decisions.