Major Controversies Surrounding Gloria Allred: A Detailed Timeline

Public opinion and media debates around Gloria Allred—discover key moments of controversy.

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

1966: Rape and illegal abortion in Acapulco

In 1966, during a vacation in Acapulco, Gloria Bloom was raped at gunpoint. She became pregnant and underwent an illegal and unsafe abortion, which led to hemorrhaging and infection, requiring hospitalization.

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.

1993: Representation of Jordan Chandler

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

2012: Criticism as "Ambulance Chaser of Feminism"

In 2012, The Atlantic described Gloria Allred as "the ambulance chaser of feminism" after she defended two men involved in a sexual battery lawsuit against actor John Travolta.

2017: Opposition to California Bill on Non-Disclosure Clauses

In 2017, Allred was vocal in her dislike of a proposed California bill that would ban non-disclosure clauses in agreements that silence victims of sexual harassment or assault.

2017: Conflict of Interest Allegations

In 2017, former client Kyle Hunter filed complaints alleging conflict of interest because Allred was negotiating with CBS while representing him in a lawsuit against CBS. Allred denied wrongdoing.

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2019: Role in Allegedly Suppressing Victims of Harvey Weinstein

In 2019, Gloria Allred's role, along with her daughter Lisa Bloom, in allegedly suppressing voices of alleged victims of Harvey Weinstein, was chronicled in Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey's book 'She Said'.

She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story That Helped Ignite a Movement

Check it on Amazon

2019: Criticism for Non-Disclosure Agreements

In 2019, Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey discussed how Allred's firm profited from non-disclosure agreements that silenced victims of sexual misconduct, including victims of Harvey Weinstein, Bill O'Reilly and Larry Nassar.

2022: Refusal to Represent Effie Angelova

In 2022, it was revealed that Gloria Allred refused to represent Efrosina "Effie" Angelova, who accused Armie Hammer of rape in January 2021, because she wouldn't sign a declaration under perjury regarding her accusations.

2025: Angelova's Claims Against Allred

In 2025, Angelova stated that Allred discussed her case publicly with the makers of a documentary on Hammer, even after being denied permission, and threatened to withdraw as her attorney unless she claimed to have given permission retroactively.

2025: Allegations of Coercive Tactics

In 2025, The Wall Street Journal reported that former clients alleged Gloria Allred used high-pressure tactics to coerce them into accepting settlements with broad non-disclosure agreements, restricting them from discussing their experiences even with therapists or spouses.