California State Bar launches probe into Gloria Allred's law firm over misconduct allegations

The California State Bar has reportedly opened an investigation into feminist attorney Gloria Allred's law firm over allegations it ignored the wishes of some of its clients, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday.

The allegations stem from women who told the outlet that some of their wishes were ignored after hiring the firm to represent them in sexual misconduct cases and that they were pressured to sign settlement agreements before they were ready. 

Allred and her law firm Allred, Maroko & Goldberg have denied the allegations, stating that the firm has represented thousands of satisfied clients over the past 50 years, and has always acted ethically.

“We are proud to defend our record of protecting, asserting, and vindicating the rights of women and minorities, and we will not be deterred by unjustified accusations which seek to discredit us,” she told the outlet. “We will not bow down to kings or The Wall Street Journal.”

The California State Bar has not confirmed the investigation because investigations are confidential. But a State Bar investigator has requested interviews with the former clients and documents like the law firm’s retainer agreement, the outlet reported. 

One of the former clients, who hired the firm in 2019, confirmed to the Wall Street Journal that she has spoken with the investigator and trial counsel.

The allegations come after the California State Bar came under scrutiny for not properly investigating former celebrity attorney Thomas Girardi, who had over 200 ethics complaints filed against him from 1982-2022. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.