Blake Lively was told to relax in her ongoing efforts to recoup attorneys’ fees and damages connected with Justin Baldoni’s dismissed lawsuit against her.
The federal judge overseeing the “It Ends With Us” pair’s seemingly never-ending legal battle denied Lively’s request to file additional briefs and other information regarding Baldoni’s $400 million countersuit, per TMZ.
According to the outlet, the exhausted judge informed the “Gossip Girl” alum that, for the time being, he didn’t need any additional info before making his decision on the matter.
The “It Ends With Us” co-stars reached a surprising settlement in Lively’s December 2024 lawsuit against 42-year-old Baldoni last Monday.
Lively, however, is still seeking attorneys’ fees and damages from the director’s failed January 2025 countersuit.
The “A Simple Favor” star, 38, previously argued that she is owed the fees and damages under a California law created in 2023 to protect sexual abuse accusers from retaliatory claims.
Although the judge dismissed Baldoni’s countersuit in June 2025, he didn’t rule on whether the 2023 law applied.
Baldoni’s team opposed Lively’s motion in October 2025 and argued that the actress’s filing violated his constitutional right to petition the courts.
The “It Ends With Us” director’s team also argued that the California law shouldn’t apply because the alleged sexual harassment incidents would have occurred in New Jersey, where the bulk of the 2024 film was shot.
As for the surprising settlement, it came just days before the case was scheduled to go to trial on May 18 and just weeks after a judge threw out 10 of Lively’s 13 claims.
Lively also stepped out at this year’s Met Gala shortly after the settlement was announced.
“Raising awareness, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of domestic violence survivors — and all survivors — is a goal that we stand behind,” they added.
Meanwhile, both sides have claimed victory in the wake of the grueling and expensive legal battle.
Baldoni’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, called the settlement a “huge victory” while speaking with “TMZ Live” last Tuesday. He also claimed Lively settled because she was “scared” to testify at trial.
“It was an incredible opportunity,” he told the outlet, “and I don’t think you pass up an incredible opportunity.”
Lively’s team then called the settlement a “resounding victory” for the “Another Simple Favor” star following Freedman’s remarks.
