Blake Lively is asking a federal judge to make Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios pay more than $8 million in legal fees and costs after the dismissal of Baldoni’s defamation-related lawsuit.
The new filing adds another money fight to the long-running legal battle tied to It Ends With Us.
People reported that Lively is seeking exactly $8,035,040.88, including nearly $7.5 million in attorneys’ fees and more than $539,000 in litigation costs.
The request follows a June 12 ruling from U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman, who said Lively could pursue reimbursement for fees and costs tied to defending against Baldoni’s dismissed defamation claims.
The Request Breaks Down to the Dollar
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Lively’s filing asks for $7,495,526.87 in attorneys’ fees and $539,514.01 in costs and expenses. Her lawyers argued that the work required a large team because the case drew heavy public attention, involved extensive discovery and required review of thousands of documents.
Reuters reported that the request includes legal research, travel, meals and other costs tied to defending against Baldoni’s $400 million defamation lawsuit. The outlet reported that Lively’s lead attorney billed at a reduced rate of $2,187 per hour.
The judge has not yet decided whether Lively will receive the full amount.
The Judge Already Said She Can Seek Fees
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Judge Liman ruled on June 12 that Lively could seek attorneys’ fees and litigation costs under California Civil Code Section 47.1. People reported that the law protects people from retaliatory defamation lawsuits after reporting harassment, discrimination or retaliation.
The same ruling denied Lively’s request for treble and punitive damages. Variety reported at the time that Lively was awarded the right to recover legal fees, but not additional damages under that request.
Reuters reported that Judge Liman previously dismissed Baldoni’s defamation case and allowed Lively to claim fees under the California statute.
Baldoni and Wayfarer Have Until July 13 to Respond
Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios have until July 13 to challenge the amount Lively says she is owed. Variety reported that the court will decide the fee amount after Baldoni’s side files its response.
People reported that Baldoni’s team has argued Lively’s win was limited and that she did not receive every remedy she sought under California law.
Representatives for Baldoni did not immediately respond to requests for comment in the latest reports.
The Main Case Settled in May
Lively and Baldoni reached a broader settlement in May, just weeks before trial. Entertainment Weekly reported that the settlement came before the 17-month case was set to go to trial.
Reuters reported that Lively received no money in the settlement. Baldoni has denied the allegations against him.
The fee request now leaves one major question for the court: whether Baldoni and Wayfarer must pay all, some or none of the $8,035,040.88 Lively is seeking.