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The dispute between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively has taken another turn. This week Baldoni asked a judge to cut back on Lively’s multi-million-dollar request for legal fees, calling parts of her billing unreasonable. The move follows his first public remarks about the long-running court fight.
Why Baldoni wants Lively’s fee demand reduced
In a recent court filing, Baldoni’s attorneys argued that Lively’s motion for costs is bloated and contains duplicative charges. They asked the judge to pare down what they called unnecessary billing entries.
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- Amount sought: Lively asked for roughly $7.5 million in attorneys’ fees and about $540,000 in expenses.
- Baldoni’s response: His team labeled the total as excessive and requested reduction or denial.
- Primary complaints: Multiple lawyers billed for the same hearings, frequent charges for conferences among counsel, and extensive online research fees.
How the lawyers framed the dispute over billing
Baldoni’s lawyers told the court that a quick review of the invoice shows overlapping work. They singled out entries for internal strategy calls and repeated attendance by several attorneys.
The filing contrasted Lively’s demand with recent fee requests in related cases. As an example, the New York Times submitted a much smaller fee motion for defending against a similar defamation claim.
Allegations of overreach
- Charges for multiple attorneys at the same hearings.
- Frequent line items for attorneys “conferencing” or “conferring” together.
- Significant amounts billed for research and online investigation.
Where the wider litigation stands
The headlines began in late 2024 when the pair’s lawsuits and countersuits drew public attention. Several related claims have been dismissed, and a separate case Baldoni brought against a major newspaper was later dropped.
- Baldoni previously sued the New York Times for $250 million; that case was dismissed.
- His $400 lawsuit against Lively was also dismissed.
- Their direct dispute was settled in May, avoiding a full trial.
Money, settlement and who paid what
Although the two reached a settlement earlier this year, legal billing battles continued. Lively is pursuing reimbursement for her legal costs despite the private deal. Baldoni’s team insists the amount is unjustified.
Public statements from both sides
Baldoni broke his silence recently in an Instagram video alongside his wife, Emily. He said the last few years included painful falsehoods and that the couple had let the legal process run its course. Emily added that facts ultimately spoke for themselves.
Lively has addressed the matter in public appearances as well. On a late-night show during a recent press tour, she spoke about the emotional toll and the fear many women feel about speaking up. She also described the need to shield her children from the stress of public disputes while continuing to work and promote projects.
What to watch next in the fee battle
The court will now consider Baldoni’s objections to the fee motion. Judges can reduce requested fees, deny them, or award the full amount. Lively’s representatives had not commented on the new filing at the time of reporting.
Key dates and filings
- Late 2024: Initial legal filings by both parties.
- May (this year): The pair reached a private settlement.
- June: Lively filed a motion seeking roughly $7.5 million in attorneys’ fees plus expenses.
- This week: Baldoni filed a response asking the court to reduce or reject that request.
