Justin Baldoni Scores Total Victory in Blake Lively Settlement, Lawyer Says

If you were hoping for a splashy courtroom showdown between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, sorry — this one wrapped right before the opening credits. After nearly two years of trading legal shots over the making of 'It Ends With Us,' the two settled days before trial. And now both sides are doing victory laps.

What just happened

On Monday, May 4, news broke that Lively, 38, and Baldoni, 42, had settled their lawsuit just ahead of a May 18 trial date. A judge had already nudged them to consider settling instead of going to trial, and, well, that nudge landed.

By Thursday, May 7, Lively had filed a formal notice of settlement. In that filing, she asked for attorneys fees and costs, plus compensatory and punitive damages, arguing she is entitled to damages over harm she says came from Baldoni's 'retaliatory defamation action. '

'The end product - the movie It Ends With Us - is a source of pride to all of us who worked to bring it to life. Raising awareness, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of domestic violence survivors - and all survivors - is a goal that we stand behind. We acknowledge the process presented challenges and recognize concerns raised by Ms. Lively deserved to be heard.

We remain firmly committed to workplaces free of improprieties and unproductive environments. It is our sincere hope that this brings closure and allows all involved to move forward constructively and in peace, including a respectful environment online.'

Both sides are calling it a win (of course they are)

Justin Baldoni's attorney Bryan Freedman framed the settlement as a clean sweep for Baldoni and the Wayfarer parties. He pointed out that the court had already tossed 10 of Lively's 13 claims — including every sexual harassment claim, every defamation claim, and all claims against the individual defendants — and said Lively then voluntarily dismissed the rest. In his view, they settled because Lively's side saw the writing on the wall. He also noted there is still a pending request for fees tied to a narrow issue that has been in front of the court since September 2025.

Lively's lawyers, Michael Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, saw it very differently. They called the deal a resounding victory for Lively, saying Baldoni and the individual defendants agreed to waive their right to appeal and now face personal liability for what they describe as abusing the legal system to intimidate and silence her. They also seized on the joint statement's line that Lively's concerns 'deserved to be heard,' arguing that ends the idea she fabricated claims of sexual harassment and retaliation. Their bottom line: Lively's broader mission to call out smear campaigns and retaliatory lawsuits isn't over.

What this case was actually about

Lively accused her 'It Ends With Us' director and co-star of sexual harassment, creating a hostile work environment, and orchestrating a smear campaign against her. Baldoni denied everything and countersued. His countersuit was dismissed in June 2025.

In the lead-up to trial, the court pared down Lively's case significantly — again, 10 of 13 claims gone — before this week's eleventh-hour settlement. The only loose end either side is acknowledging now is that narrow fees issue that's been parked with the court since last fall.

How we got here (quick timeline)

• Almost two years ago: Lively files suit alleging sexual harassment, a hostile set, and a smear campaign tied to 'It Ends With Us.' Baldoni denies it and countersues.
• June 2025: Baldoni's countersuit is dismissed.
• September 2025: A narrow fees issue lands with the court, where it still sits.
• Pre-trial: Judge Lewis J. Liman recommends the parties settle rather than go to trial.
• Monday, May 4, 2026: News breaks that Lively and Baldoni have settled days before a May 18 trial start.
• Thursday, May 7, 2026: Lively files a notice of settlement and seeks attorneys fees, plus compensatory and punitive damages tied to alleged harm from Baldoni's supposed retaliatory defamation action.
• Also Thursday: Baldoni's attorney touts the case as a total win for his side; Lively's lawyers call it a resounding victory for her.

The bottom line

No trial. No definitive verdict. Just a last-minute settlement with both camps claiming they got what they wanted, a movie everyone says they are proud of, and one narrow fees question still in the court's inbox. Messy? Absolutely. Surprising? Not really. This is how high-profile fights usually end — with a joint statement, competing press notes, and everyone trying to move on.