Hollywood Showdown: Justin Baldoni'S Legal Tango With Blake Lively Heats Up

The Never-Ending Saga: Baldoni vs. Lively

The ongoing legal drama between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has the world glued to its screens, and just when we thought it was winding down, there's another twist. Following a recent settlement, Baldoni and his legal team have made a bold move by petitioning a federal judge to reject or significantly slash Lively's jaw-dropping $8 million legal fee request.

Crunching the Numbers

According to court documents snagged by PEOPLE on Monday, Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios argue that Lively's demand is off the charts. The legal team claims the case was overstaffed, with dozens of attorneys racking up more than 7,000 hours, labeling the fees as "excessive." They're pushing for the judge to either dismiss Lively's motion entirely or bring the amount down to earth.

“At minimum, the Court should substantially reduce the request, using as a benchmark the $181,622.70 the Times sought after securing dismissal of Count II on its separate motion to dismiss – the same outcome Lively achieved," Baldoni's team argues.

The Benchmark Battle

Baldoni's camp points to The New York Times' legal victory in a related defamation case, where they sought a mere $181,000 in legal fees after their win – a far cry from Lively's eight-figure ask. Lively, however, stands firm, insisting the hefty sum reflects the extraordinary effort needed to fend off what her lawyers have slammed as a retaliatory defamation suit.

Legal Grounds and Final Hurdles

This fee request battle stems from Judge Lewis J. Liman's earlier decision, which allowed Lively to pursue attorney fees under California Civil Code Section 47.1 – a law designed to shield those reporting sexual harassment from retaliatory lawsuits. Though the broader case was settled, this financial dispute remains for the judge to decide, with no option for either party to appeal the outcome.

Breaking the Silence

Just days ago, Baldoni broke his silence on the saga in an Instagram post with his wife, Emily Baldoni, where he emotionally recounted the "pain" and "injustice" endured. While both are focused on healing, this latest court filing makes it clear: this Hollywood legal drama hasn't reached its final act just yet.