Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, and Wayfarer Studios settled their dispute with terms released Monday, June 15—weeks after a May 4 agreement and after Judge Lewis Liman’s June 12 ruling. Liman ordered Baldoni to pay Lively’s attorneys’ fees, while denying her re
A court battle that stretched nearly a year and a half is now over—at least in the way the calendar matters.
Days after Judge Lewis Liman issued his final ruling. the official settlement agreement between Blake Lively. Justin Baldoni. and Baldoni’s company Wayfarer Studios was released. The case had begun to unwind when the parties reached their settlement on May 4. just weeks before they were scheduled to go to trial over Lively’s breach of contract and retaliation claims.
In the terms made public Monday. June 15. Lively. 38. Baldoni. 42. and Wayfarer Studios agreed to end “all differences and disputes” between them and to “irrevocably waive any and all appellate rights associated” with their prior legal actions. The settlement also includes an agreement to release a joint statement.
Even with the agreement signed, one part of the fight is still being handled separately. The settlement left Lively’s motion requesting that Baldoni pay her attorneys’ fees and damages relating to his 2025 defamation lawsuit to be decided by Liman in later proceedings. Liman ultimately ruled that Baldoni must pay Lively’s attorneys’ fees, but denied her request for any damages.
Lively’s lawsuit against Baldoni and Wayfarer began in December 2024. She alleged sexual harassment and retaliation, saying Baldoni sexually harassed her on the set of the domestic violence drama “It Ends with Us” and helped orchestrate what she described as a smear campaign against her.
In January 2025, Baldoni and Wayfarer escalated with a $400 million countersuit. They named Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and The New York Times in their claims, accusing them of civil extortion, defamation, and false light. Liman dismissed the countersuit entirely in November.
The case did not end there for Lively. Over the next year, the litigation narrowed and shifted: on April 2, Liman dismissed all but three of her 16 causes of action.
On May 4, with trial looming, the parties reached a settlement. Their attorneys then issued a joint statement that addressed the work behind “It Ends With Us,” the process that brought the dispute into court, and the hope that it would lead to closure.
“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. ” Bryan Freedman. Ellyn Garofalo. Michael Gottlieb and Esra Hudson said.
“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.”.
Blake Lively Justin Baldoni Wayfarer Studios It Ends with Us Lewis Liman settlement agreement attorneys' fees defamation lawsuit breach of contract retaliation