Blake Lively has filed for $8m in legal fees and costs from Justin Baldoni and his Wayfarer Studios, following the dismissal of a $400m countersuit against her. The request, submitted on 30 June, covers expenses incurred from January to June 2025 during the legal battle with her former co-star and director from the 2024 film It Ends With Us.
The $400m countersuit, filed by Baldoni in January 2025 for civil extortion, defamation and invasion of privacy, was dismissed in June 2025. A federal judge ruled that Lively was entitled to fees and costs from her fight against the suit. Lively's legal team now seeks $7,495,526.87 in attorneys' fees and $539,514.01 in costs.
In a memorandum, Lively's attorneys, Michael Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, condemned Baldoni's 'scorched-earth litigation tactics' and a 'near-daily press campaign' to smear Lively's reputation. They argued the countersuit aimed to retaliate against her for speaking out about sexual harassment.
'This gross abuse of the legal system was not meant to win in court,' the memorandum read. 'Its aim was to retaliate against Lively by falsely branding her a liar, intimidating witnesses and the media, and discouraging others from speaking out.'
Lively and Baldoni settled their original lawsuit in early May 2026. Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios have until 13 July to agree to pay the $8m or challenge the claim. The Guardian has approached Baldoni's lawyers for comment.
