The High Pressure Tactics Gloria Allred Uses On Her Own Clients

Podcast: The Journal
Hosts: Kate Linebaugh and Ryan Knutson, with Jessica Mendoza
Release Date: March 14, 2025

Introduction

In the March 14, 2025 episode of The Journal, produced by The Wall Street Journal and Gimlet, host Khadija Safdar delves into the controversial practices of Gloria Allred, a renowned women's rights attorney. Known for her high-profile cases against figures like Harvey Weinstein and Donald Trump, Allred has built a public image as a staunch advocate for victims. However, Safdar's investigative reporting uncovers claims from former clients that paint a contrasting picture of Allred's firm, suggesting the use of high-pressure tactics and questionable legal strategies.

Gloria Allred's Public Image and Reputation

Gloria Allred is celebrated as one of America's most prominent lawyers for women's rights, often vocal about empowering women. Early in the episode, Allred asserts her commitment to truth and justice:

"Truth matters. Women matter. Those who allege that they were victims of sexual misconduct or sexual assault by Mr. Trump matter."
[00:37]

Her public persona includes holding press conferences and providing emotional support to clients, reinforcing her image as a dedicated advocate.

Client Experiences: Caroline Walner

Caroline Walner, who became a client in 2021, initially praised Allred:

"And I thought she was really amazing. You know, I still actually feel like she's done a lot of good bringing things to the forefront..."
[01:20]

However, Walner's experience took a negative turn. She accused Allred's firm of inadequately investigating her allegations against acclaimed author Neil Gaiman and pressuring her into a settlement that included a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). Walner recounted feeling overwhelmed and silenced:

"Absolutely. It's been like the scariest roller coaster ride with this because... they're constantly trying to put a muzzle on you."
[02:06]

She detailed how the firm quickly negotiated a $300,000 settlement, enforcing the NDA and preventing her from speaking out or retaining her story:

"I didn't ever get to go into the sex abuse and what had happened... I can't remember. I was asked like, not a lot of questions about that."
[06:03]

Walner also criticized the use of forced arbitration clauses in the retainer agreement, which she felt were contradictory to Allred's public stance against such clauses:

"The thing that makes it interesting for Gloria, she has spoken out publicly against forced arbitration clauses."
[07:25]

Ultimately, Walner broke her NDA, faced aggressive pushback from Allred's firm, and alleged malpractice, leading to ongoing arbitration claims against the firm.

Client Experiences: Effie (Efrasina Angelova)

Effie, a 24-year-old client, approached Allred's firm after receiving disturbing messages from actor Armie Hammer, which included references to rape and cannibalism. Initially seeking pro bono assistance, Effie's experience mirrored Walner's in several troubling ways:

"And so Gloria telling me to not talk, and she actually had me take down the screenshots from my Instagram... it was not good. It was very strange."
[17:38]

Allred pressured Effie into a public press conference, pushing her to license photos labeled as the "money shot," despite Effie's reluctance to profit from her trauma:

"No, it's not my goal to make money off of any of those."
[18:44]

Effie also reported that Allred exhibited a dismissive attitude towards her panic attacks, referring to her behavior as part of "tough love":

"I'm giving you my tough love."
[21:11]

Furthermore, Effie discovered that Allred participated in a documentary featuring her case without her consent, leading to immense personal distress and the termination of their professional relationship:

"For her to then, behind my back, go and participate in it... it was devastating."
[22:40]

Analysis of Allred's Firm Tactics

Khadija Safdar's investigation reveals a pattern where Allred's firm employs aggressive legal strategies that prioritize quick settlements and confidentiality over clients' autonomy and well-being. Former clients like Walner and Effie describe being pressured into NDAs and public statements, often feeling their voices were suppressed rather than amplified.

Allred's legal partner, Nathan Goldberg, acknowledges the use of forced arbitration clauses, which he justifies as a means to protect clients from financial repercussions. However, this practice appears to contradict Allred's public criticism of such clauses:

"She [Allred] is trying to protect women who have NDAs from opening themselves up to financial penalties."
[08:21]

Clients have reported feeling re-victimized by these practices, with persistent pressure to remain silent and comply with the firm's demands.

Allred’s Response to Allegations

Gloria Allred has publicly responded to the allegations by emphasizing the importance of honesty and informing clients of potential risks:

"Not only do I speak truth to power, I speak truth to clients. ...they deserve to be informed of the risks that they face."
[24:18]

She maintains that her firm operates with the clients' best interests in mind, encouraging courageous actions while also implementing measures like NDAs when necessary. Despite these statements, clients and former clients argue that these tactics serve to protect the firm's reputation and business interests rather than genuinely supporting victims.

Conclusions from the Reporting

Khadija Safdar's reporting presents a complex portrait of Gloria Allred's legal practice. While Allred continues to be a prominent figure in advocating for women's rights, the experiences of clients like Caroline Walner and Effie suggest that her firm's methods may sometimes undermine the very empowerment they are meant to foster. The use of NDAs, forced arbitration, and aggressive settlement tactics raises questions about the balance between legal efficiency and ethical advocacy.

The investigation underscores the importance of scrutinizing legal practices, especially those associated with high-profile figures, to ensure that the pursuit of justice does not inadvertently silence or harm the victims it aims to protect.

Notable Quotes:

• Gloria Allred: "Truth matters. Women matter. Those who allege that they were victims of sexual misconduct or sexual assault by Mr. Trump matter."
  [00:37]

• Caroline Walner: "Absolutely. It's been like the scariest roller coaster ride with this because... they're constantly trying to put a muzzle on you."
  [02:06]

• Effie: "I was devastated... I was very outspoken... she was very aware that I was against it... it ended it."
  [22:40]

• Nathan Goldberg: "This law firm is a business and they look to maximize the settlements and they try to do them quickly and efficiently."
  [25:12]

This episode sheds light on the potential discrepancies between a public advocacy persona and the internal practices of a legal firm, prompting listeners to consider the complexities involved in seeking justice through high-profile legal avenues.