Blake Lively is set to receive a little over $400,000 out of the $8 million she had 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 federal judge’s ruling on Wednesday. Judge Lewis J. Liman, in a written verdict in Manhattan, detailed why Lively was not granted the full sum her legal team had claimed, given Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios LLC, had filed counterclaims in response to her lawsuit from December 2024.
While acknowledging the intense legal battle between Lively and Baldoni, the judge declined the majority of the legal fees requested by Lively, citing the constraints of a California law aimed at safeguarding survivors of sexual harassment and discrimination from retaliatory litigation. The law, designed to shield survivors from legal actions meant 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 sent 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 starred alongside Lively, refuted the harassment allegations and dismissed them as part of Lively’s attempt to seize creative control of the movie.
Following Lively’s lawsuit, Baldoni and Wayfarer filed a countersuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of civil extortion, defamation, invasion of privacy, breach of good faith and fair dealing, and economic interference. Liman dismissed the countersuit in June 2025 and later rejected Lively’s sexual harassment claims, citing her status as an independent contractor during the film’s production.
The dispute between Lively and Baldoni was settled in early May, just two weeks before the scheduled trial. They issued a joint statement expressing their commitment to workplaces free from improprieties and unproductive environments, emphasizing that Lively’s concerns were valid.
“It Ends With Us,” based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, was a commercial success upon its release in August 2024, despite facing criticism for its portrayal of abuse. Lively alleged that Baldoni made inappropriate comments about her appearance, violated boundaries during filming, and pressured for nudity against her wishes during a childbirth scene.
Baldoni maintained that his actions were within the bounds of normal filmmaking processes. Lively, known for her roles in “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” and “Gossip Girl,” and Baldoni, recognized for his work in “Jane the Virgin” and “Five Feet Apart,” had their professional collaboration overshadowed by their legal battle.