A Legal Battle Over Fees
Following a recent court decision granting Blake Lively the right to recover legal fees, Justin Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, has publicly addressed the resolution of the case. The conflict stems from allegations originally brought forward by Lively against her It Ends With Us co-star and director.
Defense Perspective: Clearing the Air
In a statement regarding the proceedings, Freedman defended his client's position throughout the months-long legal ordeal. He stated, «We fought and won against a coordinated effort built on allegations of sexual harassment, retaliation and a smear campaign that never happened.»
Freedman highlighted the specific outcome of the claims, noting that a significant portion of the charges brought by the actress were dismissed. He further characterized Lively’s recent legal maneuver as an attempt to leverage California legislation designed to protect victims, describing the effort as ultimately unsuccessful.
The Court’s Ruling on Legal Costs
Judge Lewis J. Liman ruled that Lively is eligible for defense costs under a 2023 California statute intended to shield those who report sexual abuse from retaliatory defamation lawsuits. Regarding this, Freedman remarked: «Ms. Lively was only awarded limited attorney fees for a single claim as part of a case that lasted only a matter of months, nothing more.»
The Perspective of Lively’s Legal Team
Attorneys for Blake Lively, Esra Hudson and Michael Gottlieb, provided a different interpretation of the judge's decision. They emphasized that the ruling confirms their client acted in good faith and without malice. Their statement noted: «The Court is awarding Ms. Lively attorneys’ fees and costs and has explained that a prevailing defendant under Section 47.1 may seek damages using different procedural mechanisms.»
Background of the Dispute
The tension between the two actors became public in late 2024, when Lively accused Baldoni of fostering a hostile work environment and engaging in a campaign to discredit her. Baldoni consistently denied these assertions and pursued a countersuit, which was ultimately dismissed by a judge in June 2025. Previously, in April 2025, the court had also dismissed the majority of Lively’s original claims against Baldoni.
Moving Toward Closure
Despite the high-profile nature of the disagreement, both sides have expressed a desire to move forward. In a joint statement released in May, representatives for both actors highlighted their pride in the final movie and their mutual commitment to creating professional, respectful work environments. The parties expressed a sincere hope that these rulings would provide closure for everyone involved.