Blake Lively Can Recover Legal Fees From Justin Baldoni, US Judge Rules

Actor Justin Baldoni and his wife Emily Baldoni depart from a 'settlement conference' at the United States District Court in New York City, U.S., on February 12, 2026. REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado

NEW YORK—Blake Lively won a partial victory in her contentious litigation against fellow actor Justin Baldoni, as a federal judge on Friday awarded her legal fees but denied additional damages in defending against Baldoni’s previously dismissed defamation lawsuit.

U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman in Manhattan ruled after Lively settled her lawsuit accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation in connection with their 2024 movie “It Ends With Us,” where both starred and Baldoni directed.