The attorney has represented many alleged victims of inappropriate sexual conduct, and will now defend Weinstein against accusations of harassment
loria Allred, civil-rights attorney who built her long and storied career on protecting famous women from their more famous male bosses, has responded to her daughter Lisa Bloom’s decision to represent Harvey Weinstein. When The New York Times broke the story of Weinstein’s decades of alleged sexual harassment toward assistants, lawyers, actresses, and other women in his orbit, many were mystified to see quotes by Bloom in defense of Weinstein, rather than in defense of the women speaking on-record against him. Allred is among those who have commented.
“Had I been asked by Mr. Weinstein to represent him, I would have declined, because I do not represent individuals accused of sex harassment,” she said in a statement. “I only represent those who allege that they are victims of sexual harassment.”
The fact that Weinstein – who has said many of the accusations against him reported by the New York Times are inaccurate – said in a statement that over the last year he had asked Bloom to “tutor” him as part of his “journey” to “learn about myself and conquer my demons”.
In her own statement, Bloom said: “As a women’s rights advocate, I have been blunt with Harvey and he has listened to me ... He is an old dinosaur learning new ways.”
She also dangled the possibility of the first Allred versus Bloom case (though, at present, Bloom has only been named as an attorney on retainer and in an advisory role). “While I would not represent Mr. Weinstein, I would consider representing anyone who accused Mr. Weinstein of sexual harassment, even if it meant that my daughter was the opposing counsel.” Allred has no comment at this time as to whether any of Weinstein’s accusers have reached out to her.
Bloom, like Allred, represents famous women, most of whom have become alleged victims of sexual assault (Allred represents 33 of Bill Cosby’s accusers, and Bloom represents Janice Dickinson, as well as three women who accused Bill O’Reilly of sexual misconduct). A New Yorker profile on Allred published earlier this week infers that Bloom learned many of her media-savvy tactics from Allred, especially how to keep the story top of mind in the public. To wit, the last time the public heard from Bloom in a splashy way was at the press conference she arranged for Kathy Griffin, who was under fire and F.B.I. investigation for her photo shoot in which she mimed beheading Donald Trump.
One of the lawyers recruited by Harvey Weinstein as he fights accusations that he exploited women working for him is better known for representing those on the other side of sexual harassment allegations.
Women’s rights attorney Lisa Bloom – who helped force out Bill O’Reilly at Fox News over harassment allegations – has represented numerous alleged victims of inappropriate sexual conduct, including celebrities Mischa Barton and Blac Chyna.
O’Reilly, once the top-rated host on US cable news, was fired by Fox News in April. After his departure, Bloom announced: “This is what happens when women speak our truth. We can slay dragons.”