Blake Lively has won $407,000 in legal fees and costs. The award follows her defense against Justin Baldoni’s defamation lawsuit.
U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman issued the award in Manhattan on August 26. However, Lively had sought $8.04 million.
The award covers only a small part of her request. Still, it marks another key step in the legal fight.
Judge Cuts Lively’s Fee Request
Judge Liman found that Lively’s lawyers handled the case well. He also found some rates above $2,000 reasonable.
However, he rejected much of the request. The judge found that Lively’s team claimed too many hours.
In addition, the team lacked enough detail for some work. Therefore, Liman cut the amount Lively could recover.
As a result, the judge focused the award on work tied to Baldoni’s defamation claims.
Some Costs Did Not Qualify
The judge also rejected some other costs. For example, he excluded expenses for media relations.
He also rejected work tied to a sanctions motion. Therefore, the ruling shows why lawyers need clear billing records.
How the Legal Fight Began
Baldoni sued Lively for defamation in January 2025. His lawsuit followed Lively’s claims of sexual harassment and retaliation.
Those claims involved the making of
It Ends With Us.
Lively filed her own lawsuit against Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios in December 2024. Baldoni has denied her claims.
Meanwhile, Judge Liman later narrowed the case. He dismissed Lively’s harassment claims and claims against Baldoni.
However, he allowed a retaliation claim against Wayfarer Studios to continue. That case settled in May, according to Reuters.
Lively did not receive money from that settlement.
California Law Played a Role
Lively sought legal fees under a California law passed in 2023. The law offers protection in some retaliation lawsuits.
Furthermore, her lawyers called the award historic. Michael Gottlieb and Esra Hudson said it marked the first fee award under the law.
Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, disagreed. Instead, he called the ruling a significant win for his clients.
Key Lessons for Lawyers
The ruling offers useful lessons for law firms and litigators.
First, courts can closely review large fee requests. A legal win does not guarantee full payment.
Second, reasonable rates do not make every billed hour recoverable. Lawyers must show why each cost deserves payment.
Therefore, firms should keep clear billing records. They should also link costs to the claims that support recovery.
The case also highlights careful case management. This skill matters in high-cost litigation.
Finally, both sides agreed not to appeal the fee ruling. As a result, the decision ends this part of the dispute.
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