RPJ’s Nicole Page Quoted in The New York Times on the Legal Boundaries of Workplace Conduct in Hollywood
In a recent article for The New York Times, RPJ’s Nicole Page was quoted for her insight on the evolving legal standards governing workplace conduct in Hollywood.
The Feb. 19, 2026 article, “Lively v. Baldoni Tests What Crosses the Line on a ‘Steamy’ Movie Set,” examines the high-profile litigation between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni stemming from their work on the 2024 film It Ends With Us. The case, now before Judge Lewis J. Liman in the Southern District of New York, raises complex questions about when conduct on a film set, particularly one depicting an intimate and turbulent romantic relationship, crosses the legal line into actionable harassment.
As the court considers whether Ms. Lively’s claims of harassment, retaliation, and defamation should proceed to trial before Judge Lewis J. Liman, the case has become a focal point in the broader post-#MeToo recalibration of workplace norms in Hollywood.
Ms. Page, widely recognized for her work in gender discrimination and workplace misconduct matters, offered critical legal insight into how courts distinguish between professional collaboration and actionable harassment. As she explained to The Times:
“You can consent to being in a work environment where the discussion or the work is focused on sexually explicit topics, but that doesn’t mean you consent to have someone in the room turn to you and ask you about your personal sexual preferences.”
As Hollywood continues to adapt to strengthened protocols around intimacy coordination, nudity riders, and on-set conduct, this case highlights the tension between evolving cultural expectations and established legal doctrine. Ms. Page contribution to this national conversation reinforces RPJ’s longstanding leadership in complex workplace and discrimination litigation.
Read the full article here.
