Blake Lively has received a court judgment awarding approximately $407,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs stemming from her 18-month legal dispute with Justin Baldoni. The award, which came on Wednesday, consisted of $363,245.40 in attorney compensation and $44,206.35 in court-related expenses. The amount represents a significant reduction from the $8 million figure that Lively’s legal team had requested.
In his ruling, Judge Lewis Liman determined that while the hourly rates charged by Lively’s attorneys were reasonable given the case’s complexity, the total number of billable hours claimed exceeded what was considered appropriate. The judge cited incomplete documentation as another factor in the decision, noting that Lively’s submission lacked the actual invoices from her legal team despite including declarations from a fee expert who had reviewed the billing records.
The dispute originated in December 2024 when Lively filed allegations against Baldoni, who directed the film It Ends With Us, claiming sexual harassment and a hostile work environment on set. Baldoni responded by filing a defamation counterclaim the following month. After proceeding through litigation for several months, both parties reached a settlement agreement in May, with only the question of legal expenses remaining unresolved. Wednesday’s ruling concludes the extended legal battle between the two parties.
Baldoni and his wife, Emily, released a statement in July describing their experience throughout the legal process as causing significant hardship. In a video posted to social media, Emily Baldoni reflected on the difficulties they faced, questioning how the situation had developed. Meanwhile, Lively has maintained a public presence through various high-profile events but has not made any public statements regarding the legal matter or its resolution.
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