A court has ruled in favor of Blake Lively recovering some legal costs from Justin Baldoni, an actor and director, but denied her claims for punitive damages. The decision follows the settlement of legal disputes related to their 2024 film, “It Ends With Us.”

Judge Lewis J. Liman determined that Lively can recoup legal fees related to her defense against a countersuit Baldoni filed after she sued him in December 2024. The ruling referenced a California law aimed at protecting survivors of sexual harassment from retaliatory lawsuits. According to the law, if a defamation claim in response to a lawsuit is dismissed, the plaintiff must pay the defendant’s legal fees. However, this applies unless evidence of malice from the defendant emerges, which the court found lacking from Baldoni and his company, Wayfarer Studios LLC.

The judge dismissed Lively’s claims for treble damages and punitive damages, stating such claims did not align with federal procedural rules protecting party rights. Lively and Baldoni resolved most of their conflict last month, just before the trial for her retaliation claims. No financial compensation was granted to Lively, but she was allowed to pursue legal costs.

Lively’s legal team stated that the awarded fees validate her good faith in launching her claims, noting the absence of malice evidence. Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, argued that Lively’s major monetary demands were unfulfilled, with the majority of her claims rejected before settlement. Freedman criticized Lively’s attempt to use California law for damages, arguing their reputations were unfairly impacted by false accusations.

Lively had accused Baldoni and his production firm of sexual harassment and trying to harm her reputation. Baldoni denied these charges, claiming they were invented by Lively to gain creative control over the film. He had countersued Lively and her husband, alleging defamation and extortion. The court dismissed Baldoni’s countersuit and Lively’s harassment claims, as she was an independent contractor rather than a film employee.

The film “It Ends With Us” is an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s popular novel about a deteriorating domestic relationship, released in August 2024, surpassing box office expectations.

Blake Lively gained fame from her roles in “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” and “Gossip Girl,” while Justin Baldoni is known for “Jane the Virgin” and the 2019 movie “Five Feet Apart,” as well as his book addressing traditional masculinity.