Blake Lively Demands Legal Fees and Damages After Settlement with Justin Baldoni

Blake Lively has escalated her legal battle with Justin Baldoni by seeking attorneys’ fees, compensatory damages, and punitive damages, as confirmed in a filing on Thursday. The move follows a settlement agreement reached between the former co-stars and director of It Ends With Us.

Legal Victory and Accountability

Lively’s attorneys, Michael Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, issued a statement to TheWrap calling the settlement a "resounding victory."

"This settlement is a resounding victory for Blake Lively. By agreeing to this settlement, and waiving their right to appeal, Justin Baldoni and every individual defendant now face personal liability for abusing the legal system to silence and intimidate Ms. Lively. And by admitting that Ms. Lively’s concerns ‘deserved to be heard,’ the defendants have ended once and for all the fiction that Ms. Lively ‘fabricated’ claims of sexual harassment and retaliation."

They added, "From day one, Blake Lively’s mission was clear: expose and hold accountable those who weaponize smear campaigns and retaliatory lawsuits to intimidate and silence survivors. That mission continues."

Joint Statement Ends Legal Dispute

The newly filed notice of settlement, pending judicial approval in New York, comes three days after Lively and Baldoni issued a joint statement concluding their legal dispute, which began in December 2024.

"The end product – the movie It Ends With Us – is a source of pride to all of us who worked to bring it to life. Raising awareness, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of domestic violence survivors – and all survivors – is a goal that we stand behind. We acknowledge the process presented challenges and recognize concerns raised by Ms. Lively deserved to be heard."

"We remain firmly committed to workplaces free of improprieties and unproductive environments. It is our sincere hope that this brings closure and allows all involved to move forward constructively and in peace, including a respectful environment online."

Baldoni’s Legal Team Responds

Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, spoke to Extra on Wednesday about the settlement’s outcome.

"I can’t talk about the terms of the settlement, but what I can tell you is that he is ecstatic, that both [Jamey Heath] and Justin are ecstatic at the results of this and the settlement itself. They are very pleased with where this ended up."

TheWrap has reached out to Baldoni’s team for further comment.

Key Dates and Background

• December 2024: Legal dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni begins.
• Monday: Joint statement issued, ending the legal battle.
• Wednesday: Baldoni’s legal team comments on settlement outcome.
• Thursday: Lively files for attorneys’ fees and damages.