Settlement Reached in Long-Running Legal Dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni
A federal judge has approved a settlement agreement between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in an ongoing legal dispute. However, the saga surrounding “It Ends With Us” appears to continue.
Michael Gottlieb, Lively’s lead attorney, stated in a letter filed in a Manhattan court that the parties have “fully and conclusively resolved all but one of the claims in the consolidated action.” This suggests that while progress has been made, additional issues remain to be addressed.
According to a waiver included in the settlement documents, Lively is seeking attorney’s fees from Baldoni and his partners related to another legal matter. This indicates that even as one chapter closes, financial considerations stemming from the conflict linger on.
Baldoni’s legal team has cautioned that the potential penalties—if granted—could be significant. Their court filings express concern about the ramifications should Lively’s claims yield favorable results for her in the remaining aspects of the dispute.
The controversy originated during the production of the film “It Ends With Us,” where Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment. She further alleged that Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer Studios, retaliated against her following her complaints regarding misconduct on set. Baldoni has categorically denied these allegations.
In January 2025, Baldoni countersued both Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of defamation and extortion. He claimed in his lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York that they sought to tarnish his reputation, leveraging Lively’s dissatisfaction to gain control over the film’s production.
A U.S. District Judge, Lewis J. Lehman, dismissed both of Baldoni’s lawsuits last year. Furthermore, in April, he ruled on Lively’s claims, rejecting most of them—including harassment and conspiracy—but permitted three allegations, including breach of contract, to proceed to trial. A court session was previously scheduled for May 18, prior to the announcement of the settlement.
While the exact terms of the settlement remain undisclosed, a source familiar with the situation confirmed to NBC News that no financial transaction occurred. Lively’s legal team is now pursuing legal costs and damages relating to Baldoni’s previously dismissed counterclaim, framing their victory as part of a broader mission to challenge those who utilize litigation as a means of intimidation.
The attorneys at Lively’s firm described the settlement as a “huge victory,” emphasizing their client’s commitment to holding accountable those who attempt to silence survivors through aggressive legal tactics. In contrast, Baldoni’s attorney characterized the settlement as a triumph for Wayfarer, implying that the plaintiffs settled due to an apparent lack of strength in their case.
