Blake Lively is demanding that Justin Baldoni pay for her legal expenses following the dismissal of his $400 million countersuit against her and her husband, Ryan Reynolds. Three months after a New York judge dismissed Baldoni’s claims of defamation, Lively‘s legal team announced they will seek a substantial award to recoup the costs she incurred defending herself, citing the claims as baseless.
In court filings submitted on September 7, Lively’s attorneys asserted that the 38-year-old actress is entitled to recover her legal fees as the prevailing party in the countersuit, which accused her and Reynolds of defamation. Furthermore, her legal representation is pushing for compensation for the damage caused by Baldoni and his associates, including his production company Wayfarer Studios and their lead lawyer, Bryan Freedman.
The legal team highlighted that Baldoni and his team launched
“vicious character attacks on Ms. Lively designed to damage her credibility.”
They also condemned the claims as lacking factual or legal merit, stating that they constituted
“a deliberate plan to discredit Ms. Lively and to harm her and her husband by suing them.”
Lively is requesting the court to approve a motion allowing her to recover legal fees and damages from Baldoni before and independent of the jury trial against him, which is scheduled for March 2026. The lawsuit she filed accuses Baldoni of sexual harassment and creating a hostile environment during the filming of It Ends With Us. Baldoni has denied these allegations, but his countersuit accusing defamation was dismissed earlier this year for lack of evidence.
Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman challenged the notion of Lively’s victory, stating,
“Ms. Lively’s own claims are no truer today than they were yesterday,”
and adding,
“with the facts on our side, we march forward with the same confidence that we had when Ms. Lively and her cohorts initiated this battle.”
Details on Lively’s Legal Pursuit to Recover Costs
Lively’s legal team has detailed their request for a court order allowing recovery of legal expenses, emphasizing that as the prevailing defendant in Baldoni’s countersuit, she is entitled to have those fees covered. Her attorneys argue the counterclaims were filed without merit and designed to inflict harm on Lively and Reynolds, not to address legitimate grievances.
Her lawyers have also accused Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and Freedman of orchestrating a coordinated effort to attack her reputation and damage her credibility. This alleged conduct, they claim, justifies additional damages beyond legal expenses.
The upcoming jury trial in March 2026 will address Lively’s original sexual harassment claims, but the motion to recover fees seeks resolution of this separate issue on a timeline preceding the trial itself.
Lively’s Initial CRD Complaint Accuses Baldoni and Associates of Retaliation
On December 20, 2024, Lively filed a formal complaint with the California Civil Rights Department against Baldoni and several of his associates, including Wayfarer Studios executives and publicists. The complaint alleged a
“sophisticated press and digital plan in retaliation”
for her raising concerns regarding inappropriate behavior on the film set.
According to Lively, she and others experienced
“invasive, unwelcome, unprofessional and sexually inappropriate behavior”
by Baldoni and Wayfarer’s CEO Jamey Heath. The complaint detailed claims of sexual harassment, retaliation, failure to address harassment, breach of contract, emotional distress, and interference with economic opportunities.
Lively argued that the campaign against her had caused “substantial harm” both personally and professionally, accusing Baldoni and his circle of systematic misconduct and a smear campaign intended to undermine her.
Media Coverage and Response from Baldoni’s Representation
The following day, on December 21, 2024, The New York Times reported on Lively’s claims, revealing messages between Baldoni’s team and crisis communicators cited in the complaint. Lively expressed hope that her legal action would expose toxic retaliatory tactics and encourage protection for others who speak out about misconduct.
In response, Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman condemned Lively’s allegations as “serious and categorically false accusations” aimed at repairing her image after public backlash related to the film’s promotion. Freedman described the claims as “outrageous and intentionally salacious” tactics designed to manipulate public perception.
Freedman defended the hiring of crisis management professionals by Wayfarer, emphasizing their role was reactive to media inquiries and focused on balanced reporting rather than retaliation. He stressed that internal planning and correspondence cited were standard public relations practices and lacked proactive hostile actions.
Baldoni Faces Professional Fallouts Amid Controversy
On December 21, 2024, talent agency William Morris Endeavor (WME) dropped Baldoni as a client following The New York Times article about the legal dispute. Ari Emanuel, CEO of Endeavor, confirmed the termination but denied any influence by Ryan Reynolds or Lively as alleged by Baldoni in his later lawsuit.
WME clarified that Baldoni’s former representatives were not present at the Deadpool & Wolverine premiere and denied any pressure to sever professional ties with Baldoni from Lively or Reynolds, countering claims in Baldoni’s lawsuit.
Industry Peers Publicly Support Lively
Several cast members from It Ends With Us and other notable figures voiced support for Lively following her public allegations against Baldoni. Author Colleen Hoover, whose novel inspired the film, praised Lively’s honesty and kindness on social media.
Actress Jenny Slate, who played Baldoni’s character’s sister in the film, expressed solidarity with Lively, describing her as a
“leader, loyal friend and a trusted source of emotional support”
and condemning the reported smear campaign as disturbing and threatening.
Additional actors including Brandon Sklenar and Lively’s former Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants co-stars America Ferrera, Alexis Bledel, and Amber Tamblyn also declared their support for Lively’s actions against Baldoni.
Podcast Co-host Quits Amidst Rising Legal Drama
On December 23, 2024, Liz Plank, a co-host of The Man Enough Podcast alongside Baldoni and Heath, announced her departure from the show. In her public statement, Plank thanked listeners for their support but did not directly cite the complaint against Baldoni as the reason for her exit.
She expressed ongoing commitment to the values promoted by the podcast and reaffirmed support for those combating injustice and holding perpetrators accountable, noting she would share more updates after processing recent events.
Baldoni’s Former Publicist Initiates Lawsuit Against Him and Media Team
On December 24, 2024, Stephanie Jones and her company Jonesworks LLC filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and his current publicists Jennifer Abel and Melissa Nathan. The suit alleges a secret conspiracy against Jones involving contract breaches, client theft, and orchestrated smear campaigns that unfairly blamed Jones for attacks on Lively.
The complaint accuses the defendants of defaming Jones and attempting to divert attention from their misconduct, noting that Jonesworks terminated their relationship with Baldoni and Wayfarer after these incidents.
Lively’s legal team confirmed obtaining certain text messages cited in reporting via subpoena to Jonesworks, while Baldoni’s attorney Freedman claimed no clients were subpoenaed about those texts and indicated plans to take legal action against Jones for revealing communications.
Baldoni’s Team Files Defamation Lawsuit Against The New York Times
On December 31, 2024, Baldoni, along with Wayfarer executives and publicists, filed a $250 million defamation suit against The New York Times for its reporting on the alleged smear campaign involving Lively. The suit accuses the newspaper of libel, false light invasion of privacy, and promissory fraud while arguing the story, based on Lively’s complaint, was misleading and false.
The plaintiffs claim the Times ignored evidence contradicting Lively’s narrative, instead closely following her version of events. They assert that, contrary to reports, it was Lively who engaged in a calculated smear campaign. The New York Times responded, affirming their journalism was thorough and grounded in extensive documents and communications.
Lively Files Her Own Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Baldoni and Associates
Also on December 31, 2024, Blake Lively initiated a lawsuit in New York against Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, other executives, and members of his communications team. The suit accuses the defendants of sexual harassment, retaliation, negligence, breach of contract, and emotional distress, among other claims, reflecting allegations previously outlined in her CRD complaint.
Lively’s attorneys addressed the defamation suit filed against The New York Times, clarifying that it does not alter the validity of her harassment and retaliation claims. They insisted that the notion her complaint was merely a precursor to litigation is false and underscored their commitment to proving her case in court.
Baldoni’s Legal Team Announces Plans for Additional Lawsuits
In early January 2025, Freedman, representing Baldoni and Wayfarer, indicated that the legal battles were not over, hinting at forthcoming lawsuits against other parties they consider responsible. Freedman firmly stated they intended to continue pursuing legal action.
Controversy Over Film Promotion and Social Media Speculation
The ongoing dispute extended into public discourse with rumors that Ryan Reynolds, Lively’s husband, mocked Baldoni in the film Deadpool & Wolverine through a character named Nicepool. While Reynolds has not publicly responded, Freedman rebuked such speculation, emphasizing the seriousness of sexual harassment claims and condemning mockery of the issue.
Lively’s attorneys reported ongoing attacks against her since filing the lawsuit, stressing that her claims of sexual harassment and retaliation are supported by solid evidence. They warned against attempts to blame victims or invert truth, calling such tactics attempts to trivialize serious misconduct allegations.
Freedman countered by accusing Lively’s team of orchestrating media attacks aimed at harming Baldoni’s reputation, asserting they possess extensive evidence to support their position.
Baldoni, Wayfarer, and Associates File Lawsuit Claiming Extortion and Defamation
On January 16, 2025, Baldoni, Wayfarer, and select publicists filed another lawsuit targeting Lively, Reynolds, and others, accusing them of civil extortion, defamation, and interference with contractual and economic relations. Specifically, they denied the harassment allegations and countered that Lively sought to dominate the film’s production and alienated cast members.
The suit claims a coordinated campaign involving The New York Times was orchestrated to damage their clients’ reputations. Freedman stated that Lively either knowingly misrepresented the truth or was severely misled by her team.
Lively’s Legal Team Denounces Baldoni’s Counterclaims as Retaliatory
Lively’s lawyers condemned the countersuit as a tactic commonly used by abusers to intimidate victims, labeling it as DARVO—Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim Offender. They expressed that Baldoni’s attempts to shift blame onto Lively reflect desperation and fail to undermine the evidence supporting her claims.
They further detailed that Lively’s involvement in overseeing the film’s distribution was requested by the studio and that past cast experiences also reflected dissatisfaction with Baldoni and Wayfarer’s conduct. Her team also criticized Baldoni’s response to harassment allegations as victim blaming and dismissive of her experiences.
Release of Behind-the-Scenes Filming Footage Spurs Conflicting Interpretations
In January 2025, Baldoni’s executives released behind-the-scenes footage from It Ends With Us aiming to contest Lively’s description of on-set experiences. Baldoni’s lawyers argued the footage showed professional and respectful behavior consistent with the scene’s narrative of a romantic encounter.
Conversely, Lively’s legal team maintained the footage actually supports her claims, highlighting moments where she appears uncomfortable and attempts to de-escalate the situation. They noted any person who has experienced inappropriate touching at work would recognize her distress.
Lively and Reynolds Request Court to Limit Public Statements by Baldoni’s Attorney
On January 22, 2025, Lively and Reynolds formally requested a gag order on Bryan Freedman, Baldoni’s lead lawyer, to prevent improper public conduct and protect the integrity of the ongoing litigation. They expressed concerns about Freedman’s influence on the narrative and impact on their case.
Revelation of 2 AM Voice Message from Baldoni to Lively
A recording surfaced in late January 2025 of a 2 AM voice memo Baldoni allegedly sent to Lively during the film’s production. In the message, he acknowledges Lively’s creativity and their mutual friends, and offers an apology for initially rejecting her script contributions.
He expressed regret, saying,
“I f–ked up. One thing you should know about me is that I will admit and apologize when I fail.”
Trial Date Set for Lively vs. Baldoni Case
Following months of pretrial activity, the court scheduled the jury trial for the sexual harassment lawsuit between Lively and Baldoni to begin on March 9, 2026, signaling a significant milestone in the prolonged legal conflict.
Amendment Adds The New York Times to Baldoni’s Lawsuit
On January 31, Baldoni’s attorneys amended their ongoing defamation lawsuit to include The New York Times as a defendant. The updated complaint accuses Lively and her team of colluding with the newspaper to disseminate misleading information through “cherry-picked” and context-stripped communications designed to deceive.
Baldoni’s Team Launches Website to Present Their Version of Events
In early February 2025, Baldoni’s legal team launched a dedicated website outlining their lawsuit against Lively, featuring timelines and selected text messages purportedly exchanged with Lively and Reynolds. This move aimed to make their perspective accessible to the public and counteract media narratives.
Freedman emphasized their goal was transparency and allowing the public to assess the evidence themselves based on documented communications.
Lively Amends Complaint, Citing Additional Witnesses Corroborating Harassment Claims
On February 18, 2025, Lively filed an amended complaint revealing that two other women involved in It Ends With Us had reported discomfort with Baldoni’s behavior during filming. Her attorneys asserted these complaints had been raised and documented since May 2023, with Baldoni allegedly acknowledging the concerns in writing.
The identities of these witnesses were withheld due to fears of retaliation and intimidation, according to legal filings. Baldoni’s lawyer dismissed the alleged witnesses as unwilling to publicly support Lively, attributing the claims to unsubstantiated hearsay.
Publicist Leslie Sloane Requests Removal from Lawsuit
Following accusations from Baldoni that she had spread damaging stories under Lively’s influence, Leslie Sloane filed a motion seeking dismissal from the lawsuit. Her legal team characterized her inclusion as an unfounded attempt to divert attention from the central harassment allegations against Baldoni.
Lively Retains Former CIA Official to Strengthen Legal Strategy
On February 28, 2025, it was disclosed that Lively hired Nick Shapiro, a former Deputy Chief of Staff at the CIA during the Obama administration, to advise on legal communications strategy connected to her sexual harassment and retaliation case. Shapiro brings extensive experience from executive security roles at Visa and Airbnb and now operates his own consulting firm.
The New York Times Seeks to Exit Defamation Lawsuit
Also on February 28, The New York Times filed a motion to dismiss itself from Baldoni’s $400 million lawsuit, arguing the dispute is too one-sided and that the newspaper does not belong as a party. The court granted a temporary stay on discovery related to the Times as it reviews the dismissal motion, highlighting the importance of First Amendment protections in this matter.
Judge Halts Discovery in Ongoing Lawsuit Against The New York Times
On March 4, 2025, U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman granted The New York Times’ request to pause discovery, allowing the court to consider the motion to dismiss before any exchange of information occurs. The judge found strong grounds to believe the dismissal motion could succeed and that Baldoni’s team would not suffer unfair harm from the stay.
The Times praised the ruling as recognition of the critical constitutional principles involved and a relief from unwarranted burdens imposed by the lawsuit.
Baldoni’s Legal Team Attempts to Subpoena Taylor Swift, Prompting Pushback
In May 2025, Baldoni’s lawyers attempted to subpoena singer Taylor Swift, alleging she played a role in Lively’s push for creative control of It Ends With Us. Swift’s representative promptly denied involvement beyond licensing one song for the film and dismissed the subpoena as an attempt to garner tabloid attention.
Baldoni’s team later withdrew the subpoena following the backlash and opposition from Lively’s legal counsel.
Judge Dismisses Baldoni’s Countersuit Against Lively and Reynolds
On June 9, 2025, a judge dismissed Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit against Lively, Reynolds, their publicist, and The New York Times, ruling that Baldoni’s team failed to produce sufficient evidence to support claims of defamation or extortion.
Following the dismissal, Lively expressed empathy for others who face retaliatory lawsuits despite lacking resources to fight back, sharing gratitude for the support she received throughout the process.
Baldoni’s attorney rejected Lively’s declaration of victory as “predictable” and reiterated that the case revolves around false harassment claims and an imaginary smear campaign.
Blake Lively Deposed Amid Tensions Over Media Narratives
On July 31, 2025, Lively participated in a deposition in New York. Despite circulating media stories suggesting a contentious confrontation with Baldoni, her lawyers later clarified that the event was not a face-to-face showdown requiring a large support team. They emphasized that Baldoni was present along with legal representatives of other defendants named in her lawsuit.
