A federal judge awarded Blake Lively some legal fees in her court battle with Justin Baldoni on Friday. The decision followed her settlement with Baldoni’s production company regarding the movie “It Ends With Us.” While Lively received attorneys fees, her request for additional financial penalties was denied.

Last month, Lively settled her retaliation claims related to the movie, as both parties prepared for a contentious trial in Federal District Court in Manhattan. Although she did not receive financial compensation from the settlement, the agreement allowed her to seek a payout through another legal route.

Ms. Lively’s legal team referenced Baldoni’s failed defamation lawsuit from the previous year. They used a California law, which is aimed at preventing defamation suits from being used to intimidate individuals making harassment complaints. Lively claimed that she was targeted by a retaliatory online campaign orchestrated by Baldoni and his associates after she reported sexual harassment on the movie set.

Baldoni’s lawyers argued that Lively did not qualify for fees under the law. They maintained that she exaggerated interactions to claim harassment and influence the movie’s production.

In a 47-page order, Judge Liman ruled that Lively’s case met the law’s criteria, which requires complaints of sexual misconduct to be made “without malice.” The judge noted that Baldoni and his associates failed to provide evidence that Lively’s accusations were made with malice.

“Allegations are insufficient on their own to demonstrate that statements were in fact made with malice,” Judge Liman stated. “That determination requires some evidence.”

Lively’s attorneys have not yet specified the amount of fees they believe they are owed for defending against the defamation suit, which was dismissed last year. These calculations often face challenges from the opposing party.

Lively hoped the judge would order treble damages, which involves tripling any amount granted, and punitive damages, as per the California law. However, Judge Liman ruled that she could only request fees via the legal procedure she pursued.

Under the settlement agreement, both parties consented not to appeal Judge Liman’s decision. Representatives for Lively and Baldoni did not immediately provide comments on the ruling.