ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Blake Lively seeks US$8 million from Justin Baldoni in legal fees

other · 2026-06-30

Blake Lively is pursuing $8 million in legal fees from actor and director Justin Baldoni following the resolution of their conflict regarding the 2024 film It Ends With Us. This sum comprises nearly $7.5 million in attorney fees from two law firms and approximately $500,000 in additional costs, as revealed in a court document on Tuesday. Although Lively did not receive any payment from the settlement, a judge determined that she could reclaim some expenses incurred after Baldoni initiated a countersuit. The judge's approval of the requested amount is still pending. Lively's attorney, Michael Gottlieb, billed an average of $2,187 per hour, a reduction from his standard rate of $2,795, for a total of 224 hours, amounting to $457,000.

Key facts

  • Blake Lively seeks US$8 million in legal costs from Justin Baldoni.
  • The dispute involves the 2024 film It Ends With Us.
  • Lively's lawyers disclosed the amount in a court filing on Tuesday.
  • The amount includes nearly $7.5 million in lawyers' fees and $500,000 in other expenses.
  • Lively received no money in the settlement.
  • A judge ruled Lively is entitled to recover costs after Baldoni's countersuit.
  • Michael Gottlieb charged an average hourly rate of $2,187.
  • Gottlieb billed 224 hours for work on the countersuit defense.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • US District Court
  • California

Locations

  • United States

Sources