Gloria Allred: Deborahlee Lorenzana's scandal-tested lawyer
The "too hot" banker's new lawyer, Gloria Allred, has represented women in controversial cases for years. From Nicole Brown Simpson's family to Rachel Uchitel, here are a few of her most talked-about clients
"Too-sexy banker" Deborahlee Lorenzana has hired controversial celebrity lawyer Gloria Allred to handle her workplace sex discrimination case. Lorenzana, 33, gained internet stardom when she filed a suit accusing her male bosses at Citibank of firing her because they found her beauty "distracting." Lorenzana, however, is far from the first high-profile woman to seek legal advice from the Allred, whose high-profile career has attracted both praise and scorn from commentators. Here's a brief rundown of some famous (and infamous) women Allred has represented — and how their cases turned out:
The client: Nicole Brown Simpson's family
The case: Relatives of Nicole Brown Simpson hired Allred, a family friend, to represent them during the O.J. Simpson murder trial. The former football star was charged in the murder of Brown Simpson — his ex-wife — and friend Ron Goldman, in 1994.
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The verdict: After a lengthy trial, the jury acquitted Simpson of the murders. In 1997, Goldman's family filed a wrongful death civil suit against Simpson, and ordered him to pay $33.5 million to the families of the slain victims. He never paid.
The client: Hunter Tylo
The case: In 1996, Allred represented "The Bold and the Beautiful" star Hunter Tylo in her lawsuit against "Melrose Place" producer Aaron Spelling, whom she accused of firing her from the show for getting pregnant shortly after joining the cast.
The verdict: Tylo was awarded $4.8 million by a Los Angeles jury.
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The client: Amber Frey
The case: Frey — a former mistress of Scott Peterson and key witness in the 2004 murder trial of his wife, Laci — hired Allred to help protect her privacy from the media.
The verdict: Peterson was convicted of murder; Allred successful prevented Hustler magazine from publishing nude photos Frey.
The client: Melanie "Scary Spice" Brown
The case: Allred represented former Spice Girl Melanie Brown in 2007 to help her legally establish that her ex-boyfriend, comedian Eddie Murphy, was the father of her daughter. Initially, the Hollywood star disputed Brown's claim.
The verdict: Murphy agreed to a paternity test, which confirmed he was the father of the baby, Angel Iris. A court ordered Murphy to pay Brown more than $10 million in child support. The two are reportedly friends, again.
The client: Mandi Hamlin
The case: While Mandi Hamlin, 37, attempted to board a flight in Lubbock, Texas, in 2008, TSA officers forced her to remove her nipple ring before allowing her to proceed to the gate. In a letter to the TSA, Allred requested a civil rights investigation into the matter.
The verdict: The TSA quickly apologized to Hamlin for the incident, and agreed to change its procedures for searching women with body piercings. Allred praised the policy change, calling it "an achievement for the protection of passengers' civil rights."
The client: Rachel Uchitel
The case: In late 2009, Uchitel hired Allred to handle allegations that she'd had an affair with golfer Tiger Woods. Allred abruptly canceled a news conference in December during which Uchitel was expected to give her side of the story.
The verdict: Woods reportedly gave Uchitel $10 million to avoid the "tell-all" press conference. Allred went on to represent another Woods mistress, porn star Veronica Siwik-Daniels (Joslyn James). The two have reportedly rejected Woods' apology.
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