Blake Lively has been granted a sum slightly above $400,000 out of the $8 million she had initially demanded in legal fees from actor and filmmaker Justin Baldoni following the resolution of their dispute over their 2024 movie “It Ends With Us,” as per a ruling by a federal judge on Wednesday.
Judge Lewis J. Liman elucidated in a written verdict in Manhattan why Lively was not eligible for the full amount her attorneys asserted had been expended after Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios LLC, retaliated with their own claims in response to Lively’s lawsuit in December 2024.
Recognizing the intense legal battle between Lively and Baldoni, the judge declined the majority of the legal fees Lively sought, citing the constraints of a California law aimed at shielding survivors of sexual harassment and discrimination from retaliatory litigations.
The judge concluded that the law safeguarding sexual abuse survivors from legal actions intended to intimidate and silence victims could only warrant reimbursement for expenses incurred in defending against defamation claims rather than all claims made by Baldoni against her, as stated by Liman.
Consequently, the judge decreed that Lively is entitled to $363,245 in attorneys’ fees and $44,206 in costs.
Requests for comments were dispatched to representatives of Baldoni and Lively.
In her lawsuit, Lively alleged instances of sexual harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and invasion of privacy.
Baldoni, who directed the somber romantic drama and starred alongside Lively, refuted accusations of harassing her or orchestrating a smear campaign. He contended that Lively fabricated complaints about his behavior to seize creative control of the movie.
Following Lively’s legal action, Baldoni and Wayfarer lodged counterclaims against Lively and her spouse, Ryan Reynolds, known for his role in “Deadpool,” accusing them of civil extortion, defamation, invasion of privacy, breach of good faith and fair dealing, and economic interference.
In June 2025, Liman dismissed the counterclaims filed by Baldoni and Wayfarer and nearly a year later rejected Lively’s sexual harassment claims based on the determination that she was an independent contractor rather than an employee during her involvement in the film.
In early May, just prior to a scheduled trial, Lively and Baldoni reached a settlement, affirming in a joint statement that Lively’s concerns deserved attention and expressing their unwavering commitment to workplaces free from improprieties and unproductive environments.
“It Ends With Us,” an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s acclaimed 2016 novel depicting a relationship descending into domestic violence, hit theaters in August 2024, surpassing box office predictions despite facing criticism for allegedly glorifying abuse. The discord between Lively and Baldoni diverted attention from the film, overshadowing its message and triumph.
Lively alleged in her lawsuit that during filming, Baldoni made inappropriate remarks about her appearance, breached physical boundaries while shooting a love scene, and advocated for nudity – contrary to Lively’s wishes – in a scene where her character was giving birth.
Baldoni refuted engaging in any conduct beyond the standard creative process of filmmaking.
Lively’s acting credits include the 2005 movie “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” and the TV series “Gossip Girl” from 2007 to 2012, followed by roles in films like “The Town” and “The Shallows.”
Baldoni starred in the TV comedy “Jane the Virgin,” directed the 2019 film “Five Feet Apart,” and authored “Man Enough,” a book challenging conventional notions of masculinity.