Judge grants Blake Lively $400,000 of $8M in legal fees she sought in film fight with Justin Baldoni
Judge Lewis Liman said Lively could recover only reasonable fees after rejecting most of her $8 million request in the Baldoni dispute.
- On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman awarded Blake Lively approximately $407,000 in attorneys' fees and costs after dismissing Justin Baldoni's defamation suit stemming from their 2024 film It Ends With Us.
- The legal conflict began in December 2024 when Lively filed a complaint alleging sexual harassment against Baldoni during production, claiming he orchestrated an online smear campaign to damage her reputation.
- Liman rejected roughly $8 million of Lively's request, finding the billed hours unreasonable despite acknowledging counsel's rates were reasonable. He limited reimbursement to work defending against the defamation claim, excluding media relations expenses.
- Following the May 2026 settlement, Lively's attorneys called the ruling a victory for accountability, while Baldoni's lawyer characterized the 5% award as a significant win preventing further appeals under the California statute.
- The decision marks a rare application of California Civil Code Section 47.1, a 2023 anti-retaliation law protecting sexual harassment accusers from weaponized defamation suits, establishing precedent for holding parties accountable.
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The decision comes after the closing of the confrontation related to Breaking the Circle, a film that both starred and sparked a controversy outside the screens.
Following a legal battle between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively, the actress claimed she was entitled to $8 million in legal fees due to his countersuit. The judge awarded her only about $400,000 instead.
Justin Baldoni Will Pay $400,000 to Blake Lively for Legal Expenses, Far From the 8 Million Demanded
The legal battle between the actors began in 2024 after the premiere of 'Break the Circle'
Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer ordered to pay Blake Lively $407K in legal fees
Blake Lively has secured a legal fee award from Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios, but the number is far smaller than the amount she requested. U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman ordered Baldoni and Wayfarer to pay $407,451.75, covering $363,245.40 in attorneys’ fees and $44,206.35 in costs. Lively had asked for more than $8 million after defeating defamation claims tied to the bruising legal fight around It Ends With Us. The ruling gives both…
Blake Lively will receive just over $400,000 from Justin Baldoni for legal fees
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