Blake Lively has filed a request for $8m in legal fees and costs from Justin Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios. The sum covers expenses incurred between January and June 2025 during the legal battle that followed her complaint of sexual harassment against Baldoni.
The dispute, which began in December 2024, escalated when Baldoni filed a $400m countersuit against Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds in January 2025, alleging civil extortion, defamation and invasion of privacy. That countersuit was dismissed in June 2025. The parties eventually settled the original lawsuit in May 2026.
In June 2025, a federal judge ruled that Lively was entitled to fees and costs resulting from her fight against Baldoni's countersuit. Her legal team has now detailed the amount, requesting $7,495,526.87 in attorneys' fees and $539,514.01 in costs.
In a memorandum, Lively's attorneys criticised Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios for 'scorched-earth litigation tactics' aimed at draining Lively's resources. They described a 'near-daily press campaign' promoting the countersuit, as well as obstructive discovery practices.
The memorandum also characterised Baldoni's countersuit as an attempt to smear Lively's reputation, stating: 'This gross abuse of the legal system was not meant to win in court.' Lively's lawyers said the case sets a precedent for accountability, warning that using lawsuits as weapons of intimidation carries consequences.
Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios have until 13 July to either agree to pay the $8m or challenge the claim. Their legal team has been approached for comment.
