Overview
- The parties settled earlier this month, canceling a New York trial set for May 18, yet one fee-and-damages question is still before the judge.
- Blake Lively is seeking attorneys’ fees and potential enhanced damages under California Civil Code Section 47.1 tied to Justin Baldoni’s dismissed defamation countersuit.
- Wayfarer says she dropped her last claims without receiving any money and argues the California statute should not apply because key events occurred in New Jersey.
- Judge Lewis Liman previously dismissed most of Lively’s claims and left retaliation issues, and he has indicated he may decide the fee question without more briefing.
- The ruling could shape early use of Section 47.1, a 2023 law that lets people who report harassment seek fees and extra damages when hit with retaliatory defamation suits.