Blake Lively Wins Legal Victory: Wayfarer Studios Ordered to Cover Legal Fees in Defamation Lawsuit Defense
Blake Lively achieved a legal victory when a judge ordered Wayfarer Studios to cover her legal fees in the defense against Justin Baldoni's failed defamation lawsuit. The judge, Lewis Liman, determined that Lively was entitled to reimbursement under a California law designed to safeguard sexual abuse accusers from retaliatory defamation suits. However, the request for triple damages and punitive damages was denied by Liman, citing federal law limitations. Lively and Baldoni settled all other disputes before the trial, leaving only the fee motion unresolved. Lively had accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation, while Baldoni countered with a defamation suit, which was dismissed due to Lively's allegations being protected under the litigation privilege. The settlement included an agreement to accept Liman's ruling on the fee motion without appeal.