The $400 million lawsuit Justin Baldoni faced from Blake Lively officially concluded Friday, Fox News Digital can confirm, following the entry of a final judgment.
Although the case has been formally closed, Lively’s request for attorney’s fees has been approved. The exact amount remains to be seen, suggesting a continuing financial dispute.
Baldoni will have the option to appeal once the judge makes a decision regarding the attorneys’ fees.
Fox News Digital has contacted Lively’s representatives seeking their input.
BLAKE LIVELY, JUSTIN BALDONI ‘FLIRTING’ VIDEO MAY BE SMOKING GUN IN LEGAL SHOWDOWN: EXPERT
Baldoni’s original lawsuit against Lively was dismissed back in June. The defamation suit alleged that Lively made “false” accusations of sexual harassment against him to rehabilitate her image after criticism surrounding the “It Ends With Us” press tour, following her reported takeover of the film.
Judge Lewis Liman, in an opinion and order obtained by Fox News Digital, stated, “The Wayfarer Parties have not alleged that Lively is responsible for any statements other than the statements in her CRD complaint, which are privileged. The Wayfarer Parties have alleged that Reynolds and [publicist Leslie] Sloane made additional statements accusing Baldoni of sexual misconduct and that the Times made additional statements accusing the Wayfarer Parties of engaging in a smear campaign. But the Wayfarer Parties have not alleged that Reynolds, Sloane or the Times would have seriously doubted these statements were true based on the information available to them, as is required for them to be liable for defamation under applicable law.”
“The Wayfarer Parties’ additional claims also fail,” the judge added. “Accordingly, the Amended Complaint must be dismissed in its entirety.”
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Lively’s representatives described the dismissal as a “complete vindication” for her.
In a statement to Fox News Digital at the time, Lively’s attorneys, Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb, said, “As we have said from day one, this ‘$400 million’ lawsuit was a sham, and the Court saw right through it.”
“We look forward to the next round, which is seeking attorneys’ fees, treble damages and punitive damages against Baldoni, Sarowitz, Nathan, and the other Wayfarer Parties who perpetrated this abusive litigation.”
Baldoni’s legal team, having until Oct. 31 to amend the complaint, opted not to proceed.
Lively’s suit against Baldoni remained active even after the “Gossip Girl” actress withdrew her claims of emotional distress.
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In December, Lively presented accusations of sexual harassment, retaliation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligence against Baldoni and film producer Jamey Heath, initially filed with the California Civil Rights Department and subsequently in federal court.
Baldoni and Lively had previously signaled their unwillingness to resolve the legal dispute outside of court. In a February letter, the legal teams for both Baldoni and Lively indicated that “the parties agree that mediation and the Discovery Protocols… are inappropriate for this case.”
The court confrontation between the two is scheduled for 2026.
