Blake Lively is set to receive a bit over $400,000 out of the $8 million she initially sought in legal fees from actor and director Justin Baldoni following the resolution of their dispute over their 2024 film “It Ends With Us,” as per a federal judge’s ruling on Wednesday.
Judge Lewis J. Liman, in a written decision in Manhattan, detailed why Lively was not granted the full amount that her legal team claimed was spent after Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios LLC, brought forth their own claims in response to Lively’s lawsuit from December 2024.
Recognizing the intense legal battle between Lively and Baldoni, the judge declined the majority of the legal fees requested by Lively, citing the restraints of a California law intended to safeguard survivors of sexual harassment and discrimination from retaliatory legal actions.
According to Liman, the law designed to shield survivors of sexual abuse from legal maneuvers aimed at intimidating and silencing victims could only be interpreted to allow reimbursement for expenses incurred in defending against defamation claims, rather than all claims made by Baldoni against her.
Consequently, the judge ruled that Lively is entitled to $363,245 in attorneys’ fees and $44,206 in costs.
Efforts to obtain comments from Baldoni and Lively’s representatives were made but remained unanswered.
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 claims of harassing her or orchestrating a smear campaign. He contended that Lively fabricated complaints about his conduct as part of a bid to seize creative control of the movie.
Several weeks after Lively filed her lawsuit, Baldoni and Wayfarer brought forth counterclaims against Lively and her spouse, actor Ryan Reynolds, alleging civil extortion, defamation, invasion of privacy, breach of good faith and fair dealing, and economic interference.
In June 2025, Liman dismissed the counterclaim filed by Baldoni and Wayfarer and nearly a year later rejected Lively’s sexual harassment allegations on the grounds that she was an independent contractor rather than an employee during her involvement in the film.
Just prior to a scheduled trial in early May, Lively and Baldoni reached a settlement, expressing in a joint statement that Lively’s concerns deserved attention and emphasizing their commitment to fostering workplaces free of improprieties and unproductive environments.
“It Ends With Us,” an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling 2016 novel depicting a relationship spiraling into domestic violence, hit theaters in August 2024 and surpassed box office projections despite criticisms of purportedly glorifying abuse. The discord between Lively and Baldoni drew focus away from the film, overshadowing its message and achievements.
Lively claimed in her lawsuit that during filming, Baldoni made inappropriate remarks about her appearance, violated physical boundaries during a love scene shoot, and pushed for nudity against her wishes in a scene depicting her character giving birth.
Baldoni refuted any actions beyond the scope of the typical creative process involved in making a movie.
Lively’s acting credits include the 2005 film “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” and the television series “Gossip Girl” from 2007 to 2012, before taking on roles in films such as “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 traditional perceptions of masculinity.
