Michelle May O’Neil, Senior Shareholder at OWLawyers®, was recently featured in a Daily Mail article analyzing the legal developments in Justin Baldoni’s now-dismissed $400 million lawsuit against Blake Lively.
In her commentary, Ms. O’Neil explained the significance of the court’s ruling and what lies ahead for Mr. Baldoni. The judge dismissed the defamation and extortion claims, stating they were not actionable under the law. Ms. O’Neil emphasized that statements made in legal filings are protected, which played a central role in the court’s decision to dismiss the defamation charge. She also noted that the dismissal was based on legal insufficiency, not disputed facts—a critical distinction in civil litigation.
Ms. O’Neil further clarified that although the court dismissed several claims, Mr. Baldoni was granted leave to amend two of them—breach of implied contract and tortious interference with contract. However, she emphasized that this next step will be difficult, given the court’s thorough explanation for why the initial claims failed to meet the legal standards.
Being quoted in a major publication like the Daily Mail highlights Ms. O’Neil’s credibility and authority as an attorney with a thorough understanding of litigation procedures and judicial reasoning. Her ability to provide precise, informed analysis of complex legal decisions reflects the skill and professionalism clients can expect from OWLawyers®.