This feels like journalistic malpractice. Read the first paragraph! And to include and article from her lawyers and not his? SMH

Judge orders Justin Baldoni to cover Blake Lively's legal fees

A New York federal judge has ruled that Justin Baldoni and his production company Wayfarer Studios must pay his former "It Ends With Us" co-star Blake Lively's attorneys' fees, after the parties reached a settlement last month in Lively's lawsuit against the actor and production studio.

U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman denied Lively's claim for punitive damages but wrote that the actress was entitled to attorneys' fees under California Civil Code Section 47.1.  
[Section 47.1](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&sectionNum=47.1.) states in part that a "prevailing defendant" in a defamation case is "entitled to their reasonable attorney's fees and costs for successfully defending themselves in the litigation," as well as any additional damages permitted by a judge.

In a statement to ABC News following the ruling, Lively's attorneys Esra Hudson and Michael Gottlieb said the judge's decision "makes it clear that Ms. Lively brought her claims in good faith, that there was no evidence she acted with malice, and that she is the prevailing defendant under Section 47.1."

"Ms. Lively is gratified that her lawsuit shows how Section 47.1 and laws like it create a path for survivors to hold accountable those who weaponize online attacks and retaliatory lawsuits to intimidate and silence survivors," they added.

Friday's decision comes after the parties reached a settlement in early May in Lively's lawsuit against Baldoni, ending their nearly year-and-a-half-long legal dispute.  
According to [settlement documents](https://abcnews.com/GMA/Culture/blake-livelys-lawyers-issue-1st-statement-settlement-justin/story?id=132744548) filed May 7 in the Southern District of New York, Baldoni, via his Wayfarer production company, and Lively agreed to settle their ongoing dispute on terms that Lively could still seek to recover attorney's fees and additional damages.  
The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

Lively and Baldoni's legal battle kicked off in December 2024, when Lively filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department alleging "severe emotional distress" after she said Baldoni and key stakeholders in the film -- which Baldoni also directed -- sexually harassed her and attempted, along with Baldoni's production company, to orchestrate a smear campaign against her.

Possibly the most egregious headline and article yet: Judge orders Justin Baldoni to cover Blake Lively's legal fees