Actress Blake Lively has requested $8 million in legal fees and costs after a federal judge ruled she is entitled to reimbursement following her legal battle against director Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios.
The demand, filed on June 30, 2026, covers expenses Lively incurred between January and June 2025 while fighting a $400 million countersuit brought by Baldoni.
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Baldoni's countersuit for civil extortion, defamation, and invasion of privacy was filed in January 2025 after Lively alleged sexual harassment.
His defamation claims were dismissed in June 2025.
Legal Team Criticizes Opposing Litigation Strategies
In a 15-page memorandum, Lively's legal team criticized the litigation strategies employed by Baldoni and his production company.
The filing states: "Lively respectfully requests the Court award her reasonable attorneys’ fees of $7,495,526.87 and costs in the amount of $539,514.01."
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Attorneys Michael Gottlieb and Esra Hudson condemned Baldoni's team for a "near-daily press campaign promoting their sham lawsuit" and other abusive tactics.
The legal filing asserted that the countersuit was not meant to win in court but to retaliate against Lively by falsely branding her a liar and intimidating witnesses.
Lively's attorneys highlighted the broader implications of the court's decision, stating: "Thanks to this landmark decision, those considering using a lawsuit as a weapon of intimidation have been put on notice that there are consequences for doing so."
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Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios have until July 13 to contest the $8 million assessment or agree to pay.
