Hello, hello, hello…
Blake Lively’s bid to recover an estimated $8 million in legal fees has become the latest flashpoint in her legal battle with Justin Baldoni—and several attorneys tell Naughty But Nice the request has become a punchline within legal circles.
“Every attorney I’ve spoken to has laughed at that number,” one veteran civil litigator tells Naughty But Nice. “It’s wildly aggressive. Just because you ask for $8 million doesn’t mean you’re going to get anywhere close to it.”
According to legal sources, any potential payment would involve far more than Baldoni personally writing a check, with questions surrounding Wayfarer Studios, insurance coverage all likely to factor into the court’s decision.
“The headlines make it sound like Justin Baldoni would be paying Blake Lively millions,” another attorney says. “That’s an oversimplification. The legal issues are far more complicated than that.”
The lawyers also predict the final number—if any fees are awarded—could be dramatically lower than Lively’s request.
“Fee petitions are negotiated and reduced all the time,” one source says. “Requesting $8 million is one thing. Convincing a judge to award it is another. That’s why so many attorneys are rolling their eyes.”
My novel, It Started With A Whisper, is available now
The judge has not yet ruled on Lively’s request, and both sides continue to defend their positions in court. But among the legal professionals following every filing, the reaction has been unmistakable.
“The filing has become the talk of the legal community,” one insider says. “Right now, the lawyers aren’t applauding it—they’re mocking it.”
Cheers
Rob Shuter
And remember… if you’re going to be naughty, you’ve got to be nice. 💋