Justin Baldoni’s $400 million lawsuit against Blake Lively officially concluded with a final judgment on Friday, according to reports. While the case is closed, Lively’s request for attorney’s fees has been approved, although the specific amount is still undecided, hinting at a potential financial dispute ahead.
Once the judge makes a ruling regarding the attorney fees, Baldoni might choose to appeal the decision.
Initially dismissed in June, Baldoni’s lawsuit accused Lively of defamation, claiming that she had “falsely” alleged sexual harassment against him in an effort to protect her own reputation amid the backlash from the press tour for *It Ends With Us*, where she reportedly had a significant role.
Judge Louis Lehman noted in his ruling that the plaintiffs did not successfully prove Lively was responsible for any damaging statements beyond those protected by legal privilege. He remarked that the claims presented by Baldoni’s team did not meet the necessary standards to establish defamation.
Lively’s legal team deemed the lawsuit a “sham” and expressed confidence that the court recognized this. They are now pursuing not just attorney fees, but also seeking treble and punitive damages against Baldoni and others involved in the case.
While Baldoni had until October 31 to file an amended complaint, he opted against doing so. The situation has been complicated further by Lively’s decision to drop her emotional distress claim but continue legal action against Baldoni.
Upcoming court proceedings related to Lively’s ongoing lawsuit are set for 2026. It appears both parties remain firm on not resolving their differing opinions outside of court, as they have stated that mediation isn’t appropriate for this matter.
