Allegedly Golden

In this episode, I’m walking you through what to expect from the upcoming January 22 court hearing in the Blake Lively v. Wayfarer case and, more importantly, what that hearing is not.
This episode focuses on the dispositive motions that could end the case before it ever reaches a jury. While headlines frame these motions as an attempt to “deny Blake Lively her day in court,” the reality is far more routine. In civil litigation (especially employment cases) summary judgment and judgment-on-the-pleadings motions are not only common, they are expected.
The episode breaks down the major legal questions the court must resolve, including whether California law can apply to conduct that occurred in New York, whether Blake Lively was legally an employee or an independent contractor, and whether procedural missteps before filing suit could be fatal to her claims.
Tune in to hear:
What dispositive motions are and why they’re filed in most civil cases
Why this hearing is unusual and why the judge likely requested oral argument
How judges use oral argument to identify appeal-proof rulings
The eight major legal issues the court must decide
Whether California law can apply to a New York-based film production
Why employment status (employee vs. independent contractor) matters so much
How pre-suit filing requirements could eliminate the case entirely
Why the unsigned actor loan-out agreement is central to nearly every issue
How damages limitations could undercut key claims
What the evidence spoliation motion is really trying to accomplish
Why this case could end without any factual findings at all
Want to go deeper?
If you want deeper dives, bonus episodes, and some very honest work-and-life talk, come hang out with me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/notactuallygolden/membership
Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@notactuallygolden

This episode is a comprehensive, lawyer-level walkthrough of the Blake Lively employment discrimination lawsuit, designed to help listeners finally understand what actually matters (legally) in a case that has been buried under headlines, hot takes, and viral misinformation.
From the very beginning, this case has been publicly framed as something it is not. It is not a criminal case. It is not a social media trial. And it is not a referendum on whether Blake Lively is “likable.” At its core, this is an employment discrimination and retaliation lawsuit arising out of a workplace…the set of It Ends With Us.
Tune in to hear:
Why this case is an employment discrimination lawsuit, not a criminal case
The legal difference between sexual assault and sexual harassment
How retaliation claims work and why harassment does not have to be proven first
What makes this case highly unusual compared to typical workplace cases
Why leaked texts and emails are not “facts” in the legal sense
How the New York Times article and Vanzan subpoena changed public perception
What discovery revealed and what remains sealed from public view
Why online smear campaigns are not illegal on their own
How causation determines whether a claim survives or fails
What the upcoming dispositive motions could mean for the future of the case
Want to go deeper?
If you want deeper dives, bonus episodes, and some very honest work-and-life talk, come hang out with me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/notactuallygolden/membership
Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@notactuallygolden

Welcome to the very first episode of Allegedly Golden-the podcast where civil law, pop culture, and high-stakes drama collide.
In this inaugural episode, I’m sharing why this podcast exists, who it’s for, and why the civil side of the legal system deserves far more attention than it gets. With 25 years of experience in civil litigation, I pull back the curtain on how lawsuits actually work, why headlines often mislead, and how powerful people and institutions use the civil system behind the scenes.
This show isn’t about hot takes or breaking news. It’s about reading the actual legal documents, understanding strategy, and learning how to think critically about what you’re being told…especially when the media gets it wrong.
Tune in to hear:
Why civil law is fundamentally different from criminal law and why that matters
How media coverage often distorts civil lawsuits to sell a narrative
Why strategy, timing, and procedure matter more than “winning” a single motion
What people misunderstand about discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation law
Why civil cases unfold publicly and slowly…right in front of us!
How lawyers think, why they make certain choices, and what ethics actually require
The difference between evidence in criminal cases vs. civil cases
Why the law is far more gray than most people realize
What kinds of high-profile civil cases this podcast will follow

Want to go deeper?
If you want deeper dives, bonus episodes, and some very honest work-and-life talk, come hang out with me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/notactuallygolden/membership
Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@notactuallygolden