Blake Lively Seeks Over $8 Million in Attorney Fees After Lawsuit Dismissal
Blake Lively is pursuing over $8 million in attorney fees and court expenses from Justin Baldoni, his production company Wayfarer Studios, and other involved parties stemming from a dismissed $400 million defamation lawsuit.
Allegations of Harassment and Retaliation
Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment during the filming of “It Ends With Us,” where Baldoni served as both director and co-star. She further alleged that Wayfarer Studios retaliated against her after she raised concerns regarding alleged misconduct on set. Baldoni has strongly denied these allegations.
Initial Allegations Made Public
The actress first disclosed her allegations in December 2024, roughly four months after the film’s theatrical release. Initially, she filed a complaint with the California Department of Civil Rights, followed by a federal lawsuit shortly after.
Motion Filed by Lively’s Legal Team
In a motion submitted on Tuesday, Lively’s attorneys asserted that Baldoni’s lawsuit was not intended to pursue legitimate legal claims but rather to punish her for reporting claims of sexual harassment and retaliation to the California Department of Civil Rights. They argue this approach aims to intimidate her and potential witnesses, as well as to undermine her public image.
Court Dismissals and Findings
This year, U.S. District Judge Louis J. Lehman dismissed a majority of Lively’s claims against Baldoni, including those related to harassment, defamation, and conspiracy. The parties reached a settlement agreement in May. Last Tuesday’s filing highlighted that the court found some allegations to be legally frivolous and confirmed that Lively’s statements were safeguarded under California law.
Legal Context and Reimbursement Claims
Judge Lehman previously dismissed Baldoni’s defamation and extortion lawsuits against Lively but allowed him to pursue an economic damages claim based on California Civil Code Section 47, which protects individuals reporting allegations of sexual misconduct. Lively’s legal team states that the law mandates reimbursement for the costs related to defending against the complex legal proceedings and asserts that she is entitled to approximately $7.5 million in attorney fees, along with an additional $539,514 in litigation costs.
Response to Landmark Ruling
Lively’s attorneys, Michael Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, emphasized that this landmark decision sends a clear message regarding the consequences of litigation used as a means of coercion. They underscored the ruling’s significance in setting a precedent for accountability and protection for those facing similar challenges when reporting misconduct.
Awaiting Response from Wayfarer Studios
Legal representatives from Wayfarer Studios are expected to respond to Lively’s claims by July 13. As of Tuesday, a spokesperson for Baldoni had not provided a comment regarding the recent developments.
