Justin Baldoni to Cover Blake Lively's Legal Expenses in Ongoing Defamation Lawsuit Battle
A federal court has ruled in favor of actress Blake Lively in her defamation lawsuit against actor Justin Baldoni, ordering him to pay her legal costs and fees. The ruling, made by Judge Lewis Liman on Friday, stems from a 2025 lawsuit filed by Baldoni against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and The New York Times, which was dismissed in November.
Lively, 38, had taken Baldoni back to court, citing a new California law that protects those who file harassment complaints from retaliatory defamation suits. She had sought compensatory damages, attorneys' costs, and fees, as well as punitive and treble damages. However, the judge denied her request for damages, stating that there was no evidence of malice in her statements about Baldoni.
The ruling allows Lively to seek damages under the California law in an independent lawsuit or counterclaim. The exact amount of attorneys' costs and fees owed by Baldoni has not been disclosed. Lively's attorneys welcomed the ruling, stating that it confirms she brought her claims in good faith and is entitled to attorneys' fees and costs.
The legal battle between Lively and Baldoni began in December 2024, when Lively sued him over claims of sexual harassment and retaliation on the set of the domestic violence drama "It Ends with Us". Baldoni filed a countersuit in January 2025, which was later dismissed. The pair reached a settlement on May 4, just days before they were set to go to trial.
Lively, 38, had taken Baldoni back to court, citing a new California law that protects those who file harassment complaints from retaliatory defamation suits. She had sought compensatory damages, attorneys' costs, and fees, as well as punitive and treble damages. However, the judge denied her request for damages, stating that there was no evidence of malice in her statements about Baldoni.
The ruling allows Lively to seek damages under the California law in an independent lawsuit or counterclaim. The exact amount of attorneys' costs and fees owed by Baldoni has not been disclosed. Lively's attorneys welcomed the ruling, stating that it confirms she brought her claims in good faith and is entitled to attorneys' fees and costs.
The legal battle between Lively and Baldoni began in December 2024, when Lively sued him over claims of sexual harassment and retaliation on the set of the domestic violence drama "It Ends with Us". Baldoni filed a countersuit in January 2025, which was later dismissed. The pair reached a settlement on May 4, just days before they were set to go to trial.
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