A federal judge ruled Friday that Blake Lively is entitled to attorneys’ fees from the high‑profile dispute with Justin Baldoni over their co‑star roles in “It Ends With Us.” The decision marks a partial win for the actress, granting compensation for legal costs while denying other claims.

The court rejected Lively’s request for damages under the statute she invoked, limiting the scope of the award to legal expenses only. This ruling underscores the challenges actors face when pursuing statutory claims in personal disputes and signals that courts will scrutinize the applicability of such statutes in celebrity litigation.

For investors and industry observers, the outcome highlights that legal battles can drain resources even when a party wins partially. The case may influence future contract negotiations and dispute‑resolution strategies within Hollywood, where high‑visibility conflicts can impact box‑office performance and brand partnerships.

The judge’s decision also reflects the court’s reluctance to award statutory damages when the underlying claim lacks clear evidence of statutory harm. Lively’s team argued that the statute applied to the alleged defamation, but the court found insufficient proof. The ruling may deter similar claims in the entertainment sector.