Justin Baldoni's Lawyer Labels Blake Lively's Financial Move as 'A Troubled Existence'

Justin Baldoni’s Lawyer Responds to Blake Lively’s Damages Request

Justin Baldoni's legal team has finally spoken out about Blake Lively’s recent request for damages, which came after the two Hollywood stars reached a settlement in their long-standing legal battle. The dispute, which began in 2024, saw Lively sue Baldoni for sexual harassment and defamation, while he countersued for $400 million. However, the case took an unexpected turn when Lively filed new claims under a California anti-retaliation law, seeking compensation for what she described as harm caused by Baldoni’s defamation suit.

Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, addressed Lively’s latest court filings on May 7, where she claimed she suffered “harm” from the legal action. Freedman expressed surprise at the timing of the motion, which was filed just three days after the settlement was announced. He criticized Lively and her legal team for what he called their “own interpretation of what they think is the law.” According to Freedman, the move appeared to be a procedural attempt to reframe the case, rather than a genuine effort to resolve the matter.

Lively’s Legal Team Claims a Victory

Freedman also commented on Lively’s refusal to accept the outcome of the case, calling it “more nonsense.” He suggested that Lively has not taken responsibility for her actions, stating that it’s “impossible for Ms. Lively to take responsibility for any part of her actions.” This sentiment was echoed in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, where Freedman emphasized that Lively has yet to “look in the mirror and take responsibility for her own actions.”

Despite the ongoing legal challenges, Lively and Baldoni have officially ended their case. They reached a settlement just weeks before their scheduled court testimony, waiving their right to appeal and avoiding a trial. Lively’s attorneys, Michael Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, hailed the agreement as a “resounding victory,” arguing that it acknowledged the validity of Lively’s concerns about harassment and retaliation. They also noted that Lively’s pursuit of the case was not driven by financial gain, but rather by a desire to expose industry practices that harm others.

Why Did Lively File for Damages?

Lively’s legal team argued that she was entitled to damages due to the “harm” she suffered from what she described as a “retaliatory defamation action” by Baldoni and his studio, Wayfarer Studios. She requested “reasonable attorney’s fees and costs,” as well as treble damages for the alleged harm caused by the lawsuit. The legal battle began in December 2024 when Lively filed 13 claims against Baldoni, including allegations of sexual harassment, retaliation, and breach of contract. However, Baldoni’s $400 million lawsuit was completely dismissed in June 2025.

The settlement came after years of legal back-and-forth, with both parties seemingly exhausted by the process. Lively’s legal team maintained that the case was never about money, but rather about holding those in power accountable. They also claimed that Lively did not settle until she had exposed documents related to the alleged smear campaign, which they believe will help protect other survivors in the future.

Baldoni’s Friend Speaks Out

A close friend of Baldoni, who also starred in It Ends With Us, recently broke his silence on the legal battle. Adam Mondschein, appearing on Piers Morgan’s Unscensored show, expressed concern over the emotional toll the case had taken on his friend. He stated that while he felt sympathy for Lively, he believed her actions had hurt Baldoni significantly. Mondschein hinted that he was glad the case had finally come to an end, noting that the legal feud had stretched Baldoni to his limits.

According to Baldoni’s lawyer, the actor was no longer involved in the litigation by the time the settlement discussions began. Freedman described the resolution as a “logical ending” to a case that had already been resolved in favor of Lively. However, the question remains: will Lively’s request for damages ultimately prove Baldoni’s lawyer right in calling her actions a “troubled existence”? Only time will tell.