Blake Lively Seeks More Than $8 Million in Legal Fees Following Justin Baldoni Case

30 June 2026

Blake Lively's legal battle with her It Ends With Us co star and director Justin Baldoni may have reached a settlement, but one important financial issue remains unresolved. The actress is now asking a federal court to require Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, to reimburse more than $8 million in legal fees and litigation costs she says were incurred while defending herself during one of Hollywood's most closely watched legal disputes.

The latest court filing comes after months of legal proceedings that stemmed from allegations made by Lively regarding her experience during the production of It Ends With Us. Although the broader legal conflict between the two parties concluded through a settlement earlier this year, the question of who should bear the enormous legal expenses continues to move through the courts.

According to documents filed in federal court, Lively is requesting a total of $8.04 million. The filing includes approximately $7.5 million in attorneys' fees along with more than $539,000 in litigation expenses covering research, court filings, travel, expert consultations, and other legal costs accumulated throughout the lengthy dispute. Her attorneys argue that these expenses were both reasonable and necessary given the extraordinary scope of the case and the intense public attention it received.

Lively's legal team described Baldoni's now dismissed $400 million defamation lawsuit as an abuse of the legal system that was intended to intimidate and retaliate against her after she made allegations related to the film's production. They argue that successfully defending against such claims required an enormous legal effort involving thousands of documents, extensive discovery, numerous motions, and constant responses to widespread media coverage surrounding the case.

Court filings reveal that more than 7,000 documents were exchanged during the litigation, while attorneys devoted countless hours to reviewing evidence, preparing court submissions, and responding to legal challenges. Lively's lawyers stated that the unusually high profile nature of the dispute significantly increased both the complexity and cost of the proceedings.

Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman ruled that Lively could seek reimbursement for her legal expenses under a California law designed to protect individuals who bring forward sexual harassment complaints from retaliatory lawsuits. While the judge denied her request for punitive and multiple damages, he concluded she was entitled to pursue recovery of reasonable legal fees and litigation costs. That ruling paved the way for the latest filing requesting more than $8 million.

The dispute between Lively and Baldoni began after allegations surrounding the production of It Ends With Us, where both starred and Baldoni also served as director. The legal battle quickly expanded into one of Hollywood's most publicized courtroom conflicts, with competing lawsuits, extensive media coverage, and numerous public statements from both sides. Eventually, the parties reached a settlement that resolved the primary claims without either side receiving monetary damages from the other.

Despite the settlement, both camps have continued portraying the outcome as a victory. Lively's attorneys argue that the dismissal of Baldoni's lawsuit and the court's decision allowing her to seek legal fees demonstrate that her legal position was vindicated. Baldoni's representatives have maintained that the settlement resolved the remaining disputes without any admission of wrongdoing or financial payment to Lively.

The court must now determine whether the amount requested by Lively is appropriate. Judge Liman has ordered Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios to respond to the fee request by July 13, after which the court will decide how much, if any, should be awarded. The judge will review detailed billing records, attorney rates, and litigation expenses before issuing a final ruling.

Legal experts say the decision could have significance beyond this individual case. California's protections against retaliatory lawsuits are intended to encourage people to report workplace misconduct without fear of being overwhelmed by expensive legal retaliation. A substantial fee award could reinforce those protections while serving as a warning against filing lawsuits that courts later determine lack legal merit.

For Lively, the latest filing represents the final major chapter in a legal battle that has dominated headlines for well over a year. While the courtroom dispute between the two actors has largely concluded, the decision over legal fees will determine whether the financial burden of one of Hollywood's most expensive celebrity lawsuits ultimately shifts from the actress to the defendants she successfully opposed.