Blake Lively is set to receive a little 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 movie “It Ends With Us,” as per a ruling by a federal judge on Wednesday. Judge Lewis J. Liman, in a written judgment in Manhattan, detailed why Lively was not granted the full sum her legal team claimed was expended, noting that Baldoni and his company, Wayfarer Studios LLC, countered her December 2024 lawsuit with their own claims.
While acknowledging the intense legal battle between Lively and Baldoni, the judge determined that Lively was not entitled to the majority of the legal fees she had requested, citing the constraints of a California law designed to safeguard survivors of sexual harassment and discrimination from retaliatory legal actions. Liman clarified that the law intended to protect victims of sexual abuse from legal maneuvers aimed at intimidating and silencing them could only be interpreted to allow Lively to be reimbursed for expenses related to defending against defamation claims, rather than all of Baldoni’s claims against her.
Consequently, the judge ruled that Lively is owed $363,245 in attorneys’ fees and $44,206 in costs. Requests for comments were forwarded 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 the film and co-starred with Lively, refuted accusations of harassment or orchestrating a smear campaign, contending that the complaints were fabricated by Lively to wrest creative control of the movie.
Following Lively’s legal action, Baldoni and Wayfarer launched a counterclaim against Lively and her spouse, 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 and almost a year later rejected Lively’s sexual harassment claims, asserting that she was an independent contractor, not an employee, during her involvement in the film.
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 reaffirming their dedication to fostering workplaces free from impropriety and unproductive environments.
“It Ends With Us,” adapted from Colleen Hoover’s bestselling 2016 novel revolving around a relationship descending into domestic violence, premiered in August 2024, surpassing box office projections despite criticism for allegedly glorifying abuse. The discord between Lively and Baldoni overshadowed the film’s message and success, diverting attention away from its impact.
Lively’s lawsuit detailed instances where Baldoni purportedly made inappropriate remarks about her appearance, violated personal boundaries during a love scene, and advocated for nudity against her wishes in a birthing scene for her character. Baldoni refuted any wrongdoing beyond the customary creative process of filmmaking.
Lively is known for her roles in “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” (2005) and the TV series “Gossip Girl” (2007-2012) before appearing in films like “The Town” and “The Shallows.” Meanwhile, Baldoni starred in the TV show “Jane the Virgin,” directed the 2019 film “Five Feet Apart,” and authored “Man Enough,” challenging conventional perceptions of masculinity.