Blake Lively Awarded $400,000 in Attorneys' Fees in Defamation Lawsuit Settlement
A federal judge has ruled that Blake Lively can recover approximately $400,000 in attorneys' fees from Justin Baldoni's production company following his defamation lawsuit against her. The judge dismissed Baldoni's defamation and extortion lawsuit against Lively, allowing her to seek financial damages under a California law related to the #MeToo movement. Lively's attorneys emphasized that the case was about accountability, not money, and praised her for setting a precedent for other victims to come forward.
The judge found that Lively's requested fees were unreasonable and awarded her $363,245.40 in attorneys' fees and $44,206.35 in costs. Lively and Baldoni settled their legal dispute in May, with no money changing hands. The settlement prevented a high-profile trial in New York where Lively had accused Baldoni of sexual harassment during the production of a movie he directed. Baldoni denied the allegations and countersued Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, for defamation and extortion.
The legal battle between Lively and Baldoni involved allegations of sexual harassment, retaliation, and defamation. Lively's case shed light on the issue of misconduct in the entertainment industry and encouraged other victims to speak out. The settlement between the parties resolved the dispute without a trial, bringing an end to the years-long legal conflict.