Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Gloria Allred

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Gloria Allred made an impact.

Gloria Allred is a prominent American attorney celebrated for her involvement in high-profile and often controversial cases, especially those related to feminist issues. Her legal career has focused on advocating for women's rights and representing individuals in cases involving discrimination, sexual harassment, and other forms of injustice. Due to her influence and work, she has been inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1963: Graduation from the University of Pennsylvania

In 1963, Gloria Bloom earned a bachelor's degree in English with honors from the University of Pennsylvania. She wrote her honors thesis on black writers, against her professor's objections.

1966: Move to Los Angeles

In 1966, Gloria Bloom moved to Los Angeles and resided in Watts, where she worked for the Los Angeles Teachers Association and taught at Jordan High School and Fremont High School.

1975: Admission to the State Bar of California

In 1975, Gloria Allred graduated from Loyola University School of Law and was admitted to the State Bar of California, marking a significant milestone in her legal career.

January 1976: Founding of Allred, Maroko, & Goldberg

In January 1976, Gloria Allred co-founded the law firm Allred, Maroko, & Goldberg with Michael Maroko and Nathan Goldberg, marking a significant step in her legal career.

1978: Founded WERDLEF

In 1978, Gloria Allred founded Women's Equal Rights Legal Defense and Education Fund WERDLEF, now known as Legal Momentum.

1979: Lawsuit Against Sav-On Drugstore

In 1979, Gloria Allred represented seven children and their parents in a lawsuit against the Sav-On Drugstore chain to challenge the store's practice of designating separate sections for boys' and girls' toys.

1980: Fundraiser at Chippendales

In 1980, Gloria Allred held a fundraiser at Chippendales for WERLDEF.

1981: Chastity Belt Incident with John G. Schmitz

In 1981, Gloria Allred presented California State Senator John G. Schmitz with a chastity belt during hearings on outlawing abortion. Schmitz retaliated by calling her a "slick butch lawyeress", leading to a libel suit and a settlement of $20,000 and an apology for Allred.

1983: Representation of Deborah Johnson and Zandra Rolón

In 1983, Gloria Allred represented lesbian activists Deborah Johnson and Zandra Rolón in a lawsuit against Papa Choux restaurant after they were denied service. The appellate court later reversed the lower court's decision in 1984, finding that the restaurant's behavior was discriminatory.

1984: Appellate court decision in Rolon v. Kulwitzky

In 1984, the appellate court reversed the lower court's decision in Rolon v. Kulwitzky, finding that Papa Choux restaurant's behavior was discriminatory against Deborah Johnson and Zandra Rolón. Allred represented the lesbian activists in the lawsuit after they were denied service.

1985: Drafting of the Antipornography Civil Rights Ordinance

In 1985, Gloria Allred, along with Catharine MacKinnon, drafted a version of the Antipornography Civil Rights Ordinance for Los Angeles County; however, the legislation failed to pass the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

1987: Challenge to the Friars Club Membership Policies

In 1987, Gloria Allred challenged the all-male Friars Club of Beverly Hills over its discriminatory membership policies. Eventually, the club allowed Allred and five other women access to the club's health facilities.

1992: Investigation of Senator Bob Packwood

In 1992, Gloria Allred wrote a letter to the Senate Ethics Committee requesting an investigation into the actions of Oregon Senator Bob Packwood, who was accused of sexual harassment. Her pressure contributed to his eventual resignation.

1993: Representation of Jordan Chandler

In 1993, Gloria Allred briefly represented Jordan Chandler, whose father accused Michael Jackson of sexual abuse.

1995: Representation in Yeaw v. Boy Scouts of America

In 1995, Gloria Allred represented 11-year-old Katrina Yeaw in a lawsuit against the Boy Scouts of America to challenge the organization's right to exclude girls from membership. Also in 1995, she represented Nicole Brown Simpson's family during the O. J. Simpson murder trial.

August 1997: Representation of Kelly Fisher against Dodi Fayed

In August 1997, Gloria Allred represented model Kelly Fisher in a lawsuit against Dodi Fayed for allegedly breaking off their engagement to begin a relationship with Diana, Princess of Wales. The suit was dropped after Diana and Fayed's death later that month.

1997: Representation of Hunter Tylo

In 1997, Gloria Allred represented Melrose Place actress Hunter Tylo after she was fired by Aaron Spelling for being pregnant. The jury awarded Tylo $4.8 million, setting an important precedent for the rights of pregnant actors.

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2002: Call for investigation into Michael Jackson

In 2002, after Michael Jackson held his son over a hotel balcony in Berlin, Gloria Allred wrote a letter to California's Child Protective Services requesting an investigation into the safety of Jackson's children.

2002: Representation of the Gwen Araujo Family

Later in 2002, Gloria Allred represented the family of Gwen Araujo, a transgender teen who was murdered after it was revealed that she was assigned male at birth.

February 24, 2004: Filing of lawsuit challenging same-sex marriage denial

On February 24, 2004, Gloria Allred and her law firm filed the first lawsuit in California challenging the denial of marriage licenses for same-sex couples, taking the case pro bono for Robin Tyler, Diane Olson, Rev. Troy Perry, and Phillip Ray De Blieck.

April 2007: Representation of Circuit City Employees

In April 2007, Gloria Allred represented three former Circuit City employees on behalf of a large plaintiff class in an age discrimination lawsuit against the company, after it fired 3,400 workers nationwide.

March 2008: Complaint against the TSA

In March 2008, Gloria Allred filed a complaint against the TSA on behalf of a client who was allegedly given pliers and instructed to remove her nipple rings at a Lubbock, Texas, airport.

April 2008: Representation of Beating Victim's Family and Jessica Gibson

In April 2008, Gloria Allred was hired by the family of a teenager who had been beaten and filmed by eight Florida teenagers. She also appeared on Today with Jessica Gibson, who was counter-suing Rob Lowe for sexual harassment.

May 15, 2008: Victory in California Supreme Court for same-sex marriage

On May 15, 2008, Gloria Allred won a decision in the California Supreme Court affirming the right of same-sex couples to marry in California, marking a significant victory in her pro bono case for Robin Tyler, Diane Olson, Rev. Troy Perry, and Phillip Ray De Blieck.

July 30, 2008: Complaint Against Downey Savings and Loan Association

On July 30, 2008, Gloria Allred filed a complaint with federal regulators against Downey Savings and Loan Association regarding their check-cashing procedures after they refused to immediately cash the military bereavement checks for the family of Marc Retmier, who died in action.

May 2009: Lawsuit Regarding Nadya Suleman's Octuplets

In May 2009, Gloria Allred filed a suit arguing that Nadya Suleman was exploiting her octuplets and requested a court-appointed guardian, claiming Suleman was not properly considering their interests.

May 14, 2010: Charlotte Lewis's allegations against Roman Polanski

On May 14, 2010, at a news conference held at Gloria Allred's office, English actress Charlotte Lewis alleged that director Roman Polanski had sexually abused her in his Paris apartment when she was 16.

June 2010: Representation of Debrahlee Lorenzana

In June 2010, Gloria Allred was hired by Debrahlee Lorenzana, a former bank employee who claimed she was fired for being too attractive.

August 2010: Representation of Jodie Fisher

In August 2010, Gloria Allred represented Jodie Fisher, whose sexual harassment claim led to the resignation of HP CEO Mark Hurd due to expense-account irregularities.

2010: Representation of Nicky Diaz

In 2010, Gloria Allred became visible in the California gubernatorial race as the lawyer for Nicky Diaz, a former domestic worker for Republican nominee Meg Whitman, contending that Whitman knowingly employed Diaz while she was an undocumented immigrant.

April 27, 2011: Press conference regarding Roger McDowell's actions

On April 27, 2011, Gloria Allred appeared at a press conference with the family of Justin Quinn, who was allegedly threatened at a San Francisco Giants baseball game by Braves coach Roger McDowell for objecting to McDowell's homophobic slurs and simulated sex act.

September 12, 2011: Debut of 'We the People with Gloria Allred'

On September 12, 2011, Gloria Allred debuted into courtroom television with 'We the People with Gloria Allred', a show using improv actors to reenact fictitious case scenarios.

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October 18, 2011: Court approval to represent fired cocktail waitresses

On October 18, 2011, Gloria Allred won court approval to represent nine former cocktail waitresses who were fired from Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City for "not looking good enough" in new 1920s-era flapper outfits.

March 9, 2012: Call for investigation into Rush Limbaugh's remarks

On March 9, 2012, Gloria Allred called for an investigation into whether radio host Rush Limbaugh should be prosecuted for derogatory remarks he made about Sandra Fluke, who testified in favor of free birth control.

June 2012: Representation of Rudy Eugene's former girlfriend

In June 2012, Gloria Allred confirmed that she was representing a former girlfriend of Rudy Eugene, the deceased 'Miami cannibal' from the 2012 Miami cannibalism incident.

October 4, 2013: Allred Hired in Edwin Mieses Case

On October 4, 2013, Gloria Allred was hired by the wife of Edwin Mieses, a motorcyclist critically injured after being run over by Alexian Lien during a gang assault. Allred told the press that Mieses was an "innocent victim" trying to defuse the situation.

2015: Representing Women Accusing Bill Cosby

In 2015, Gloria Allred was representing at least 28 women accusing Bill Cosby of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and/or other sexual misconduct.

2016: Representing Women Accusing Donald Trump

In 2016, Gloria Allred represented three women who accused Donald Trump of sexual misconduct. Trump has denied these claims, which arose during his presidential campaign.

November 11, 2017: Press Conference Representing Beverly Young Nelson

On November 11, 2017, Gloria Allred held a press conference representing Beverly Young Nelson, who alleged sexual assault by Roy Moore when she was 16.

February 2020: School Bus Advertisement Targeting Prince Andrew

In February 2020, Gloria Allred hired an American-style school bus with an advertisement placed outside Buckingham Palace, encouraging Prince Andrew to respond to the FBI about sexual misconduct allegations.

September 2021: R. Kelly Conviction and Allred's Statement

In September 2021, after R&B singer R. Kelly was convicted of sexual crimes, Gloria Allred, who represented several victims, stated that Kelly was the worst sexual predator she had pursued in her 47-year law career.

2021: Representing Hannah Archuleta

In 2021, Gloria Allred represented Hannah Archuleta, who alleged she was sexually assaulted at the Turn-About Ranch in Utah after Dr. Phil allegedly pressured her father to send her there in 2019. The lawsuit was dismissed, and the show countersued.

June 2023: Civil Lawsuit Filed Against Roman Polanski

In June 2023, a civil lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles County by a woman represented by Allred accusing film director Roman Polanski of sexually assaulting her in 1973.

October 2024: Dismissal of Polanski Case After Settlement

In October 2024, the lawsuit against Roman Polanski, represented by Allred, was formally dismissed after an undisclosed out-of-court settlement was reached during the summer of 2024.