Gloria Allred, a prominent attorney known for championing women’s rights, is now facing criticism for the aggressive financial terms she imposes on clients. While she has built a reputation as a fierce advocate for victims, recent revelations suggest that her firm’s restrictive contracts and steep fees may be exploiting the very people she claims to protect.
Restrictive Contracts and High Fees
Sources and documents obtained by The Post indicate that Allred’s law firm, Allred, Maroko & Goldberg, binds clients to terms that are not only financially burdensome but also extremely difficult to escape. One of the most controversial clauses in her contracts states that if a client decides to terminate their agreement, they may owe the firm up to $1,200 per hour for work already done. With hundreds of hours billed per case, this can quickly accumulate to six-figure sums, making it nearly impossible for clients to walk away.
A legal expert who reviewed one of the firm’s contracts noted, “The client is essentially handcuffed to Allred. If she’s spent 400 hours on a case, who can afford that?”
Additionally, Allred’s firm takes a 40% cut of any settlement—far above the standard 20% to 30% for non-litigation cases. This percentage doesn’t even include additional costs such as luxury travel, mediation fees, and other expenses that are often undisclosed until after a settlement is reached. One source estimated that these fees, combined with Allred’s cut, could consume up to 75% of a client’s winnings.
Strong-Arming Clients Into Confidential Settlements
The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Allred allegedly pressured clients into accepting confidential settlements, warning them that rejecting such deals could result in her dropping their cases. In some instances, she reportedly instructed clients to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) so strict that they were forbidden from discussing their experiences with even their closest family members or therapists.
One particularly troubling claim suggests that Allred advised a client to delete messages that contradicted the narrative she was pushing in court. Because of contractual language preventing clients from taking legal action against her, many have been unable to speak publicly about their grievances with her representation.
Manipulating Media Appearances for Publicity
Another major complaint is that Allred often thrusts her clients into the media spotlight—even when they would prefer to maintain their privacy. While media attention can sometimes be beneficial in high-profile cases, sources claim that in many instances, these appearances serve more to enhance Allred’s public image rather than to benefit her clients.
A former client stated, “I was very overwhelmed, and she seemed like the best lawyer. Unfortunately, it was about making money.”
The Fine Print: No Representation in Bankruptcy Cases
Adding to the concerns, Allred’s contract explicitly states that she will not represent clients in the event of bankruptcy. Critics argue that this clause demonstrates a focus on financial gain rather than on providing legal assistance to those in need.
An attorney familiar with Allred’s contracts remarked, “The message being sent is: ‘I am Gloria Allred. I bring value, and you need to pay more to have me.’ The attorney has an inordinate amount of power.”
Allred’s Response
In response to these allegations, Allred defended her firm’s practices, stating, “The purpose of our retainer agreement is to clearly set forth in writing the terms and conditions under which our law firm agrees to represent the client.” She further asserted that clients only reimburse expenses if a settlement is reached and emphasized that most of her firm’s 10,000+ clients have expressed gratitude for their representation.
Despite her claims, the controversy surrounding her contracts continues to raise ethical concerns. As more victims come forward to share their experiences, the question remains: Is Gloria Allred truly an advocate for justice, or has her pursuit of financial gain overshadowed her mission?
For those seeking legal representation, understanding the fine print of any contract is crucial—especially when dealing with high-profile attorneys. While Allred has undoubtedly played a significant role in fighting for victims’ rights, these recent revelations serve as a reminder that even the most celebrated advocates should be held accountable for their business practices.
