Blake Lively Awarded Legal Fees in Justin Baldoni Case; Damages Bid Rejected

A federal judge has issued a new decision in the ongoing legal saga between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni stemming from the film It Ends With Us.

On Friday, June 12, U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman determined that Baldoni, 42, must pay Lively's, 38, legal fees and costs connected to his counterclaim under California statute. The actress's request for treble damages and punitive damages, however, was rejected.

"The Court concludes that, on this record, the Wayfarer Parties have failed to carry their burden of demonstrating that the Section 47.1 privilege does not apply, and Lively is therefore entitled to fees and costs," Judge Liman wrote in the ruling.

The judge separately ruled that "Lively's request for damages must be denied" based on procedural grounds.

The specific amount of attorneys' fees and costs Lively will receive remains to be calculated. The court will now assess the appropriate sum based on documentation from her legal team regarding hourly rates and time spent on the case.

Both parties agreed as part of their settlement last month to waive any appeal of Liman's decision on this motion.

Following the ruling, Lively's legal team released a statement emphasizing the significance of the outcome. "Blake Lively won her motion under Civil Code Section 47.1. Today's ruling makes it clear that Ms. Lively brought her claims in good faith, that there was no evidence she acted with malice, and that she is the prevailing defendant under Section 47.1," the statement read. "The Court is awarding Ms. Lively attorneys' fees and costs and has explained that a prevailing defendant under Section 47.1 may seek damages using different procedural mechanisms. The parties' settlement agreement expressly preserves Ms. Lively's rights to obtain those damages. Ms. Lively is gratified that her lawsuit shows how Section 47.1 and laws like it create a path for survivors to hold accountable those who weaponize online attacks and retaliatory lawsuits to intimidate and silence survivors."

The ruling represents the latest development in a dispute that began in December 2024 when Lively filed allegations against Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment and retaliation during the film's production. Baldoni denied the claims and subsequently filed a $400 million countersuit. The countersuit was dismissed entirely in June 2025, though Baldoni has since appealed that decision.