Blake Lively’s legal battle with Justin Baldoni may not be over yet, despite a major portion of the high-profile dispute being dismissed last month.
The Gossip Girl alum is now seeking what her attorney described as “very significant” damages, with her legal team reportedly prepared to pursue a possible “mini-trial” over the issue, according to The Sun.
The latest development comes after much of the case between Lively and Baldoni was dismissed, and both sides agreed to settle last month, avoiding a full trial. However, new court filings submitted on Monday, June 1, suggest that Lively is still seeking to recover legal fees and other costs associated with the litigation.
The dispute stems from Lively and Baldoni’s work on It Ends With Us, the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel. Lively originally sued her co-star and director in 2024, accusing him of sexual harassment on the set of the movie.
Baldoni later countersued Lively for defamation, but the judge dismissed the countersuit.
During a hearing in New York on Monday, which neither Lively nor Baldoni attended, Judge Lewis Liman appeared to suggest that Lively had the option to bring the remaining dispute to a close.
“Your client does have the ability to end this,” he told her attorneys, per The Sun.
But Lively’s legal team indicated that the actress does not intend to drop the matter at this stage. Her lawyer reportedly said they are prepared to call expert witnesses if needed, in what could become a smaller trial focused specifically on damages.
Speaking after the hearing, attorney Sigrid McCawley said Lively plans to seek “very significant” damages, arguing that the legal battle and surrounding claims had affected the actress both personally and professionally.
McCawley also claimed Lively’s “reputation was harmed” and said her livelihood suffered as a result of the dispute.
The new filings reportedly focus on whether Baldoni should be ordered to cover Lively’s legal fees and related expenses. If the matter moves forward, the court may have to determine how much, if anything, Lively is entitled to recover.
The case has drawn widespread attention due to the public profiles of both stars and the success of It Ends With Us. While last month’s settlement appeared to mark a turning point, the latest hearing suggests the legal fallout may continue for now.
Neither Lively nor Baldoni has publicly commented on the latest court hearing.
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