Actress Blake Lively filed a motion on Tuesday seeking more than $8 million in attorneys’ fees and litigation costs from Justin Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and other parties. The filing comes after the dismissal of a $400 million defamation lawsuit that Baldoni had brought against her. The motion was filed on June 30, 2026, and the defendants have until July 13, 2026, to respond.
Lively’s legal team is requesting $7,495,526.87 in attorneys’ fees and an additional $539,514.01 in litigation expenses. The request follows a settlement reached between the two parties in May 2026, though the terms of that agreement have not been disclosed publicly.
Background of the Legal Dispute
The dispute stems from allegations Lively made against Baldoni, who directed and co-starred in the film “It Ends With Us.” Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment during production of the movie and alleged that Wayfarer Studios retaliated against her. Baldoni has vehemently denied these claims.
Lively first went public with her allegations in December 2024 and lodged a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department. Baldoni subsequently filed a $400 million defamation and extortion lawsuit against Lively, which was later dismissed by U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman.
Earlier this year, Judge Liman also dismissed most of Lively’s claims against Baldoni. Despite these dismissals, Lively can pursue financial damages under California Civil Code Section 47.1, which provides the legal basis for her current fee request.
What We Know So Far
The confirmed facts establish that Blake Lively is seeking a total of more than $8 million in legal costs. This figure breaks down to approximately $7.5 million in attorneys’ fees and roughly $540,000 in litigation expenses. The legal teams involved include attorneys from Willkie Farr & Gallagher and Manatt.
The original defamation lawsuit filed by Baldoni sought $400 million in damages from Lively. That lawsuit was dismissed by Judge Liman last year. Additionally, most of Lively’s claims against Baldoni were dismissed earlier this year by the same judge.
Both parties reached a settlement deal in May 2026, though the specific terms of that agreement remain confidential. The current motion for attorney fees represents a separate legal proceeding from that settlement.
Statement From Lively’s Legal Team
Attorneys Michael Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, representing Lively, issued a statement explaining the significance of the fee request.
“Thanks to this landmark decision, those considering using a lawsuit as a weapon of intimidation have been put on notice that there are consequences for doing so. The value of this ruling is in the precedent it creates, the accountability it imposes, and the protection it provides to those who may one day find themselves facing similar retaliation for speaking the truth,” the attorneys stated.
Lively’s legal team argues that Baldoni’s lawsuit was brought to punish her for reporting alleged misconduct to the California Civil Rights Department. This argument forms the basis of the fee recovery request under California law.
What Happens Next
The Wayfarer parties, which include Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios, have until July 13, 2026, to respond to the motion. This deadline gives the defendants approximately two weeks to file their opposition or response to the fee request.
U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman will ultimately decide whether to grant Lively’s request for attorney fees and in what amount. The court will review the arguments from both sides before making a determination.
The fee request remains pending and has not been granted. The outcome will depend on the court’s evaluation of the motion and any opposition filed by Baldoni’s representatives.
Timeline of Key Events
The legal battle between Lively and Baldoni has unfolded over an extended period. In December 2024, Lively publicly made allegations against Baldoni regarding conduct during the production of “It Ends With Us.” She also filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department around that time.
Baldoni subsequently filed his $400 million defamation and extortion lawsuit against Lively. That lawsuit was dismissed by Judge Liman. Earlier in 2026, the judge also dismissed most of Lively’s claims against Baldoni.
In May 2026, the two parties reached a settlement agreement. The current motion for attorney fees was filed on June 30, 2026, which was a Tuesday. The response deadline for Wayfarer parties is set for July 13, 2026.
Legal Framework for Fee Recovery
Lively’s motion relies on California Civil Code Section 47.1, which allows for the recovery of attorney fees under certain circumstances. Her legal team contends that this provision applies because Baldoni’s lawsuit was allegedly filed as retaliation for her protected activity of reporting misconduct.
The specific breakdown of the requested fees shows that the vast majority consists of attorney billing, with $7,495,526.87 attributed to legal representation. The remaining $539,514.01 covers litigation expenses incurred during the legal proceedings.
Important Details About the Case
Several key figures and entities are involved in this legal matter. Blake Lively is the actress seeking legal fees as the prevailing party in certain aspects of the litigation. Justin Baldoni is the director and co-star of “It Ends With Us” who filed the original defamation lawsuit and has denied all allegations against him.
Wayfarer Studios is named as a defendant in the fee motion alongside Baldoni and other parties. U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman continues to preside over the case in federal court.
It is important to note that Baldoni’s denial of the sexual harassment allegations remains on record. The allegations made by Lively have not been proven in court, and Baldoni has consistently maintained his innocence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Blake Lively seeking in legal fees from Justin Baldoni?
Blake Lively is seeking more than $8 million total, including $7,495,526.87 in attorneys’ fees and $539,514.01 in litigation expenses from Justin Baldoni and other parties.
When is the deadline for Baldoni to respond to the fee motion?
The Wayfarer parties, including Justin Baldoni, have until July 13, 2026, to file their response to Lively’s motion for attorney fees.
What was the amount of the original defamation lawsuit?
Justin Baldoni filed a $400 million defamation and extortion lawsuit against Blake Lively, which was subsequently dismissed by U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman.
Did Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni reach a settlement?
Yes, the two parties reached a settlement deal in May 2026, though the specific terms of that agreement have not been publicly disclosed.
What legal provision allows Lively to seek attorney fees?
Lively is pursuing financial damages under California Civil Code Section 47.1, which her attorneys argue applies because Baldoni’s lawsuit was allegedly brought as retaliation for her reporting of misconduct.
The motion for attorney fees marks the latest development in the extended legal dispute between the two actors. The court’s decision on whether to award fees, and in what amount, remains pending as both sides await the July 13 response deadline. Judge Liman will review all submissions before ruling on the request.
