Blake lively seeks more than $8 million in legal fees following Justin Baldoni lawsuit dismissal

Blake Lively is asking a federal court to order Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios to pay more than $8 million in legal fees

Blake Lively is asking a federal court to order Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios to pay more than $8 million in legal fees and litigation costs after successfully defending herself against the filmmaker’s lawsuit.

According to newly filed court documents, the actress is seeking a total of $8.04 million, including $7.49 million in attorneys’ feesand $539,514 in litigation expenses. The request follows the dismissal of Baldoni’s legal claims and marks the latest chapter in the long-running dispute tied to the production of It Ends With Us.

Lively’s legal team argued that the extensive legal work performed throughout the case was both necessary and reasonable, describing their efforts as “comprehensive” and essential to securing a complete legal victory. The filing also states that Lively has personally paid, and continues to pay, significant legal expenses related to defending the lawsuit.

In addition to the current request, her attorneys indicated they will also seek reimbursement for any future legal fees incurred while pursuing approval of the fee application itself.

The filing highlights the unusually high-profile nature of the case, noting that it generated widespread media attention with thousands of news articles published around the world. Lively’s lawyers also pointed to the extensive discovery process, which involved reviewing thousands of documents and other materials before the case was resolved.

Although Lively has formally requested reimbursement, the court has not yet ruled on the amount she will receive. Judge Lewis J. Liman has ordered Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios to submit their response by July 13. After reviewing both sides’ arguments, the judge will determine whether to approve the full request, reduce the amount, or deny it altogether.

The latest filing follows a previous ruling in which Judge Liman determined that Lively is legally entitled to seek reimbursement for attorneys’ fees and litigation costs under California Civil Code Section 47.1. The judge concluded that Lively qualified as the prevailing defendant regarding Baldoni’s defamation claims, making her eligible to recover certain legal expenses.

However, the court also ruled that any request for treble damages or punitive damages could not be addressed through the current proceedings. Instead, such claims would need to be pursued separately through another lawsuit or counterclaim if Lively chose to do so.

The legal battle began during the production and promotional campaign for It Ends With Us, eventually escalating into competing lawsuits involving allegations of harassment, retaliation, and defamation. Both parties ultimately reached a settlement in May 2026, resolving the broader dispute before the case went to trial. However, the settlement left one major issue unresolved—the question of whether Lively should recover the legal costs she incurred while defending herself.

Following Judge Liman’s earlier decision allowing her to pursue reimbursement, Lively’s attorneys described the ruling as another major legal victory. In a statement, they said the court recognized that Lively had been sued in retaliation after reporting alleged sexual harassment and retaliation, adding that the decision reinforced her position in the case.

Justin Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, has strongly disagreed with that interpretation. He argued that the court denied Lively’s request for treble and punitive damages and emphasized that any award of attorneys’ fees would be limited to a single legal claim. Freedman also maintained that Lively’s broader legal arguments had failed and criticized her attempt to recover additional damages under California law.

With Baldoni’s response due later this month, the court is expected to make the final decision on Lively’s multimillion-dollar request, bringing another significant development in the closely followed legal dispute between the former It Ends With Us collaborators.