Blake Lively has been awarded a sum slightly over $400,000 out of the $8 million she initially sought in legal expenses from actor and director Justin Baldoni following their resolution of a dispute over their 2024 film, “It Ends With Us,” as stated by a federal judge on Wednesday. Judge Lewis J. Liman outlined in a written ruling in Manhattan the reasons why Lively did not qualify for the full amount her legal team claimed to have spent after Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios LLC, filed counterclaims in response to her lawsuit from December 2024.
Recognizing the intense legal battle between Lively and Baldoni, the judge declined the majority of the legal fees she requested, citing the constraints of a California law aimed at safeguarding survivors of sexual harassment and discrimination from retaliatory legal actions. The law, which protects victims of sexual abuse from lawsuits designed to intimidate and silence them, was interpreted by Liman to only allow reimbursement for expenses incurred in defending against defamation claims rather than all of Baldoni’s claims against her.
Consequently, the judge ruled that Lively is entitled to $363,245 in attorneys’ fees and $44,206 in costs. Requests for comments were directed to representatives of both 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 and co-starred with Lively in the dark romantic drama, denied the allegations of harassment or orchestrating a smear campaign, asserting that the complaints were fabricated by Lively in an attempt to seize creative control of the movie.
After Lively sued, Baldoni and Wayfarer filed counterclaims against Lively and her husband, 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 countersuit, and nearly a year later, he rejected Lively’s sexual harassment claims based on her classification as an independent contractor rather than an employee during the film production.
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 from improprieties and unproductive environments.
“It Ends With Us,” an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel depicting a relationship descending into domestic violence, achieved box office success upon its release in August 2024, surpassing expectations despite criticism for allegedly glorifying abuse. The discord between Lively and Baldoni diverted attention from the film, overshadowing its message and triumphs.
Lively’s lawsuit detailed instances where Baldoni made inappropriate remarks about her appearance, violated personal boundaries during filming, and pressured for nudity against her wishes, particularly during a childbirth scene. Baldoni refuted any actions beyond the normal creative process of filmmaking.
Lively, known for her roles in “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” and “Gossip Girl,” transitioned into starring in films like “The Town” and “The Shallows.” Meanwhile, Baldoni, recognized for his work in “Jane the Virgin” and directing “Five Feet Apart,” authored “Man Enough,” challenging conventional perceptions of masculinity.