Overview
- Lively and Baldoni filed a confidential settlement in federal court that ended the case before a New York trial set for later this month.
- One claim remains for the judge: Lively seeks recovery of legal fees and statutory damages under California Civil Code §47.1, a law that penalizes failed defamation suits used to retaliate against harassment complaints.
- The dismissal order records mutual waivers of appeal on the settled claims and says the parties will not appeal whatever the judge decides on fees and damages.
- Both sides claimed victory in public statements, with Lively’s team calling the outcome a resounding win and Baldoni’s lawyers arguing any large fee award would be draconian.
- Media outlets including Variety, TMZ and Page Six reported no direct cash changed hands in the settlement, a point that highlights why the pending fee and damages ruling could be financially significant.