Published June 30, 2026
Blake Lively has made another move in her legal fight with Justin Baldoni.
The actress is now asking the court to make him pay more than $8 million to cover the money she spent on lawyers and court costs.
The request came after a judge ruled that Lively has the right to ask for her legal expenses after the dismissal of Baldoni's defamation lawsuit against her.
According to new court papers, she is asking for $8,035,040.88. Most of that money, about $7.5 million, is for lawyers' fees, while more than $539,000 covers other costs which are linked to the case.
The Simple Favor actress’ lawyers said that the legal battle became much bigger than a normal court case because it involved a huge amount of paperwork, many legal proceedings and constant public attention.
“The fees and costs incurred were reasonable and necessary in light of the scope and significance of the litigation," her legal team said.
The legal fight started in late 2024 after Lively accused her It Ends With Us co star and director Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation.
Baldoni denied all those claims and later filed a defamation lawsuit against Lively, Ryan Reynolds and others, but the court threw that case out.
Although both sides settled the main case earlier this year, they still disagree over legal costs.
Baldoni's lawyers, however, say that Lively is asking for far too much and the judge will now decide how much she should receive.