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California Law · Defamation Lawsuit · Legal Fees · Sexual Harassment
Actress Blake Lively secured a partial victory against fellow actor Justin Baldoni, as a federal judge awarded her legal fees in defending against Baldoni’s previously dismissed $400 million defamation lawsuit, reinforcing a 2023 California law protecting sexual harassment accusers.
U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman ruled Lively could seek fees after settling her lawsuit accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation related to their 2024 movie "It Ends With Us." While Lively received no compensation from her settlement, the judge found Baldoni did not meet the legal burden to prove malice in his defamation claims, thus Lively's statements were privileged under the California law. Lively did not receive triple or punitive damages.
Baldoni's lawyer, Bryan Freedman, stated Lively was awarded only limited attorney fees for a single claim. The movie "It Ends With Us" grossed over $351 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo.
