Story perspectives

Judge Allows Blake Lively $8M Fee Claim

7/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman ruled that Blake Lively qualifies as a prevailing defendant under California Civil Code Section 47.1, permitting her to seek $8,035,040.88 in attorney fees and litigation costs.
The filing breaks down the claim into $7,495,526.87 in attorney fees and $539,514.01 in other litigation expenses.
Justin Baldoni’s counsel has until July 13 to respond, arguing the amount is excessive and that Lively’s claims were dismissed.

History

Historical Context

California’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act authorizes fee awards to prevailing defendants, creating a statutory exception to the national American rule that each party pays its own counsel. Although Proposition 64 in 2004 narrowed standing for unfair-competition suits, the fee-shifting provision remains active; U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman recently applied it to grant actress Blake Lively over $8 million in fees.

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Story summary

U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman ruled that Blake Lively qualifies as a prevailing defendant under California Civil Code Section 47.1, permitting her to seek $8,035,040.88 in attorney fees and litigation costs.
The filing breaks down the claim into $7,495,526.87 in attorney fees and $539,514.01 in other litigation expenses.
Justin Baldoni’s counsel has until July 13 to respond, arguing the amount is excessive and that Lively’s claims were dismissed.

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