Blake Lively Awarded $407,451 in Legal Fees in Justin Baldoni Case
Blake Lively has been awarded $407,451.75 in attorneys’ fees and legal costs following her long-running legal battle with It Ends With Us director and co-star Justin Baldoni.
The amount is far below the more than $8 million Lively originally sought from Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios. U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman awarded $363,245.40 in attorneys’ fees and another $44,206.35 in costs, according to the Aug. 26 ruling and reports on the decision.
The decision comes after the broader dispute between Lively and Baldoni was settled in May 2026. The remaining question over whether Lively could recover certain legal expenses was left for the court to resolve.
How Much Did Blake Lively Receive?
Lively’s legal team had requested $8,035,040.88 in attorneys’ fees and costs.
Judge Liman awarded a substantially smaller amount:
- $363,245.40 in attorneys’ fees
- $44,206.35 in legal costs
- $407,451.75 total
The court did not reject the idea that Lively could recover legal expenses. Instead, the judge limited the recovery to fees and costs connected to defending against the defamation-related claims that had been dismissed.
Reports on the ruling say Liman found the lawyers’ hourly rates reasonable for litigation of this complexity. However, he concluded that the number of hours for which Lively sought reimbursement was excessive. The court also noted shortcomings in the supporting billing documentation.
Why Was Blake Lively Entitled to Legal Fees?
The fee dispute centred on California Civil Code Section 47.1.
In a June 12, 2026, decision, Judge Liman ruled that Lively could recover reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs under the statute. However, he rejected her separate requests for treble and punitive damages.
Section 47.1 provides protection in certain circumstances involving communications concerning sexual assault, harassment or discrimination. In Lively’s case, the provision became relevant because of the defamation claims brought against her after she raised allegations of misconduct.
Importantly, the fee ruling does not mean that every allegation made during the dispute was proven in Lively’s favour. It addresses a specific question: what reasonable legal expenses could she recover under the applicable California law?
What Happened Between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni?
The dispute began publicly in December 2024, when Lively filed a complaint with California’s Civil Rights Department concerning her experience while making It Ends With Us.
She later filed a federal lawsuit against Baldoni and other defendants. Her claims included allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation.
Baldoni denied Lively’s allegations. He and other defendants argued that her claims were false and disputed her account of events.
The legal conflict then expanded. Baldoni and his associates filed their own lawsuit accusing Lively, Ryan Reynolds and others of wrongdoing, including defamation and civil extortion.
That countersuit became a major part of the legal battle before Judge Liman.
Baldoni’s Countersuit Was Dismissed
In June 2025, Judge Liman dismissed Baldoni’s lawsuit against Lively, Reynolds and other defendants after finding that the claims did not satisfy the required legal standards.
The dismissal became an important turning point in the dispute. Lively subsequently sought to recover legal fees connected to defending against the dismissed claims.
The case continued to generate court filings and disputes over discovery, evidence and related legal issues. However, Lively and Baldoni eventually reached a settlement in May 2026 before the anticipated trial.
According to reporting on the settlement, neither side received a monetary payment from the other as part of resolving their broader claims.
What Does the $407,451 Award Mean?
The latest decision is best understood as a partial victory for Lively on legal fees, rather than an $8 million award.
The judge recognised that she was entitled to recover certain reasonable expenses. At the same time, he sharply reduced the amount requested.
That distinction matters because the ruling focused on the scope and reasonableness of reimbursable legal work. It was not a new damages award related to the underlying allegations.
The court’s June ruling had already established the legal basis for recovering fees under Section 47.1. The Aug. 26 decision determined how much could actually be recovered.
Lively’s Attorneys Call the Award Historic
Following the ruling, Lively’s attorneys Esra Hudson and Michael Gottlieb described the decision as significant and argued that it demonstrates potential consequences for retaliatory litigation.
They also framed the case as part of a broader discussion about online reputation campaigns and legal pressure against people who speak publicly about alleged misconduct.
Those statements represent Lively’s legal team’s position. They should be distinguished from the court’s narrower ruling on recoverable fees.
Baldoni’s Lawyer Calls the Smaller Award Significant
Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman took a different view of the decision.
His response emphasised the large gap between Lively’s original request and the amount ultimately awarded. He characterised the ruling as a significant result for his clients and pointed to the court’s reduction of the requested fees and costs.
That contrast reflects the competing interpretations of the same ruling. Lively’s attorneys highlighted the court’s recognition that some fees were recoverable, while Baldoni’s side emphasised how substantially the original request was reduced.
What Happens Next?
The latest fee ruling may represent one of the final major court decisions arising from the Lively-Baldoni dispute.
The broader litigation was settled in May 2026. The fee question remained because the settlement did not eliminate Lively’s request for recovery under California Civil Code Section 47.1.
With Judge Liman now setting the recoverable amount at $407,451.75, the legal battle that began with allegations surrounding It Ends With Us has moved significantly closer to its conclusion.
For readers following the case, the key point is simple: Blake Lively did receive an award for legal fees, but it was only a fraction of the more than $8 million she requested.