Key facts
- Blake Lively was awarded over $400,000 of the $8 million in legal fees she sought.
- The ruling stems from a legal dispute with actor and director Justin Baldoni over the film "It Ends With Us."
- Judge Lewis J. Liman limited reimbursement to fees for defending against defamation claims, not all claims.
- Lively is entitled to $363,245 in attorneys' fees and $44,206 in costs.
- Baldoni and his production company had filed claims against Lively and Ryan Reynolds, which were dismissed.
- Lively's sexual harassment claims were previously rejected.
A federal judge has awarded Blake Lively just over $400,000 of the $8 million in legal fees she sought from actor and director Justin Baldoni following their settlement over the production of the 2024 film "It Ends With Us."
Judge Lewis J. Liman ruled that Lively was not entitled to the full amount because California law, designed to protect sexual harassment survivors from retaliatory lawsuits, could only be applied to reimburse her for legal costs related to defending against defamation claims, not all claims Baldoni made. The judge specified Lively is entitled to $363,245 in attorneys' fees and $44,206 in costs.
Lively had sued Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios LLC, alleging sexual harassment, retaliation, and other claims. Baldoni and Wayfarer filed a countersuit, which was later dismissed by Liman. Lively's own sexual harassment claims were also previously rejected by the judge.
The dispute between Lively and Baldoni, who directed and starred in the film, overshadowed its release. "It Ends With Us," an adaptation of Colleen Hoover's novel, faced criticism for allegedly glorifying abuse, despite exceeding box office expectations.