A federal judge ordered Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios to pay the attorneys' fees for actress Blake Lively on Friday [1].

The ruling marks a significant turning point in a high-profile legal battle between the "It Ends With Us" collaborators that has lasted nearly two years [2].

U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman issued the order in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York [3]. The court determined that Baldoni's defamation lawsuit against Lively was unsuccessful [4]. Because of this outcome, the judge ruled that Baldoni and his production company are responsible for the costs Lively incurred while defending herself.

While Lively won the battle over legal fees, she did not secure a total victory in her counter-requests. Judge Liman denied her request for additional damages [1]. The court said there was no evidence of malice to justify such a payout [4].

The dispute centered on allegations of defamation following the production of their joint film project. The legal fight has remained a point of public interest since the actors' professional relationship fractured during the movie's creation.

Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios must now settle the outstanding legal bills as the case nears its conclusion [3]. The court's decision to reject the additional damages suggests that while the lawsuit lacked merit, it did not cross the threshold of intentional harm required for punitive awards [4].

“A federal judge ordered Justin Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios to pay the attorneys' fees for actress Blake Lively.”

This ruling effectively penalizes Baldoni for pursuing a defamation suit that the court found lacked merit, while simultaneously protecting him from the more severe financial penalties associated with malice-based damages. It signals the end of the primary legal conflict between the two stars, shifting the focus from courtroom litigation to the final settlement of costs.