Blake Lively will recover legal fees from Justin Baldoni following their settlement over the making of "It Ends with Us," though the judgment stops short of awarding damages. Judge Lewis Liman issued a 47-page order determining that Lively is entitled to recover attorneys' fees and costs stemming from the dispute. The decision comes months after the pair reached an 11th-hour settlement in May, ending litigation that began after Lively filed a complaint in December 2024 alleging sexual harassment and a coordinated campaign to damage her reputation during production and the film's theatrical release.
The case centered on Baldoni's behavior on set and what Lively characterized as retaliation following her objections to his conduct. After the actress voiced her concerns, she claimed Baldoni orchestrated a smear campaign that included negative press and social media efforts designed to undermine her credibility and the film's commercial performance. The dispute erupted publicly during the summer of 2024, tarnishing the reputations of both parties and complicating the rollout of the Sony Pictures film adapted from Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel.
Liman's ruling on attorneys' fees represents a partial victory for Lively even though the settlement structure prevented a full public accounting of damages. The decision affirms that Baldoni bore responsibility for the costs of litigation, a meaningful vindication for the actress. However, the confidential nature of the settlement means the public remains unaware of any monetary compensation Lively received beyond legal fees, or whether Baldoni admitted fault. The ruling underscores the legal complexities surrounding workplace conduct allegations in Hollywood while demonstrating that even settled disputes can produce significant financial consequences for defendants.