The legal battle between actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni continues, despite a settlement reached just a month ago. The settlement had avoided a trial over Lively's claims that Baldoni led a smear campaign after she accused him of sexual harassment on the set of their 2024 film "It Ends With Us."
Court Hearing on Legal Fees
On Monday, Lively's lawyers returned to court to request that a judge order Baldoni to pay her legal bills and additional penalties. They argued that under California law, Lively is entitled to these costs because Baldoni's countersuit—alleging defamation and extortion—was dismissed by a judge last year. Neither actor attended the hearing before U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman in New York.
Baldoni's Opposition
Baldoni's lawyer, Ellyn Garofalo, accused Lively of attempting "an end run" around the canceled trial. While the settlement's financial terms were not disclosed, Garofalo stated that it was resolved without Baldoni or his production company "paying a cent of the $300 million in damages she was demanding." She warned that reopening the case for an "alternative trial" would require new discovery and expert depositions.
Lively's Argument
Lively's lawyer, Michael Gottlieb, asserted that Baldoni's lawsuit was exactly the type of litigation the California law aims to stop. The law is designed to protect sexual harassment survivors from prolonged and damaging legal battles. Judge Liman did not immediately rule after over an hour of arguments.
Background of the Legal Dispute
The conflict began in late 2024 over the filming of "It Ends With Us." Lively claimed Baldoni made inappropriate comments about her appearance, violated physical boundaries during a love scene, and pushed for nudity against her wishes in a birth scene. She also accused him and his production company of orchestrating a campaign to damage her reputation.
Baldoni's Countersuit
Baldoni denied all allegations, claiming Lively fabricated complaints to gain creative control of the film. He countersued Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, for defamation and extortion. The judge dismissed Lively's sexual harassment claims under federal law, ruling she was an independent contractor, not an employee. The retaliation claim was set for trial before the settlement.
Settlement and Aftermath
In a joint statement, both sides agreed that Lively's concerns "deserved to be heard" and committed to workplaces free of impropriety. "It Ends With Us," based on Colleen Hoover's novel, was released in August 2024 and exceeded box office expectations. Lively is known for "Gossip Girl" and films like "The Town," while Baldoni starred in "Jane the Virgin" and directed "Five Feet Apart."
