Actress asks court to award legal costs after successfully defending against Baldoni’s dismissed defamation lawsuit.
Actress Blake Lively is seeking more than $8 million in attorneys’ fees and litigation costs from actor and filmmaker Justin Baldoni following a court ruling that allows her to recover expenses related to his dismissed defamation lawsuit.
According to court documents filed this week, Lively is requesting $8.04 million, including approximately $7.5 million in legal fees and more than $539,000 in litigation expenses incurred during the lengthy legal dispute.
The request stems from a June 12 ruling by U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman, who determined that Lively is eligible to seek reimbursement under California Civil Code Section 47.1. The statute is designed to protect individuals who report allegations of harassment or discrimination from retaliatory defamation claims and allows successful defendants to recover legal costs.
However, Judge Liman rejected Lively’s separate request for punitive and treble damages.
In the filing, Lively’s attorneys argued that the legal costs were justified given the complexity and public profile of the case.
“The fees and costs incurred were reasonable and necessary in light of the scope and significance of the litigation,” her legal team said.
The dispute originated in December 2024 when Lively filed a complaint against her It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment and retaliation. Baldoni denied the allegations and subsequently filed a defamation countersuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds and others.
The court later dismissed Baldoni’s defamation claims, paving the way for Lively to seek reimbursement of her legal expenses.
The parties reached a broader settlement in May 2026 that resolved Lively’s remaining claims. However, the issue of legal fees was left for the court to decide.
Baldoni’s lawyers have opposed the request, arguing that Lively’s success in the case was limited because the court declined to award additional damages. They contend that the amount sought is excessive and should be significantly reduced.
Judge Liman has directed Baldoni’s legal team to respond to the request by July 13. The court will then determine whether Lively is entitled to the full amount requested or a reduced award.
The case has attracted significant attention in Hollywood and legal circles, highlighting the growing use of anti-retaliation protections in disputes involving workplace misconduct allegations.