Jennifer Abel, former publicist to actor Justin Baldoni, recently departed from her role at Jonesworks, a high-profile public relations firm, under contentious circumstances. Her resignation comes amid a backdrop of legal disputes and allegations of toxic workplace behavior, further complicating Baldoni’s already turbulent public image. For the unversed, Justin Baldoni is currently facing a very public lawsuit from Blake Lively for doing a smear campaign against her.
Justin Baldoni’s Publicist Quits
Abel’s exit from Jonesworks unfolded during a period of escalating tensions within the firm. She reportedly cited a hostile work environment as her reason for leaving, with claims of workplace bullying being a significant factor. Abel alleged that the bullying was primarily targeted at a colleague, and this contributed to her decision to establish her own PR firm, RWA Communications. However, her departure was far from smooth. Although Abel initially planned to resign in July and officially leave by late August, her employment was terminated earlier than expected. Jonesworks accused Abel of breaching her contract, alleging that she had unlawfully taken confidential documents and reached out to clients to secure their business for her new agency.
This internal conflict at Jonesworks adds another layer to the controversies surrounding Baldoni. The actor himself is embroiled in legal issues, including a lawsuit filed by Blake Lively accusing him of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign. Additionally, Baldoni and his crisis management team, including his production company Wayfarer Studios, are facing defamation and breach of contract claims from a former publicist. Jonesworks has taken legal action against Abel, claiming that she secretly accessed and removed over 70 company documents as part of her departure strategy. The firm also alleges that she attempted to lure clients away before officially resigning.
On the other hand, sources close to Abel dispute these accusations, suggesting that the legal action is retaliatory. They argue that Abel’s decision to launch her own agency stemmed from her dissatisfaction with the work culture at Jonesworks rather than any underhanded tactics.