Just days after issuing a lengthy statement explaining her choice to represent Harvey Weinstein, celebrity attorney Lisa Bloom has announced that she will no longer be advocating for him.
“I have resigned as an advisor to Harvey Weinstein,” Bloom said overnight. “My understanding is that Mr. Weinstein and his board are moving toward an agreement.”
I have resigned as an advisor to Harvey Weinstein.
My understanding is that Mr. Weinstein and his board are moving toward an agreement.— Lisa Bloom (@LisaBloom) October 7, 2017
She did not further explain her decision to quit, but she has faced heavy criticism in the past few days, even copping a serve from her own mum, high-powered attorney Gloria Allred.
Allred released a statement yesterday and did not hold back, telling trade publication Variety:
“Had I been asked by Mr. Weinstein to represent him, I would have declined, because I do not represent individuals accused of sex harassment. I only represent those who allege that they are victims of sexual harassment. 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.”
In response to her mother’s remarks, Bloom defended her decision, saying:
“I have a different kind of law practice. My mother does only plaintiff side discrimination and harassment work. I have a successful, 12-lawyer general practice law firm that includes business litigation, defamation, revenge porn cases, entertainment matters, family law, and much more. … I believe that we can do good by suing, but also working behind the scenes to encourage accused people to respond with dignity and respect.”
Bloom has also copped a good deal of social media backlash for her public statements about Weinstein over the past few days.
In particular, she was taken to task for her description of him as “an old dinosaur learning new ways,” which some felt was an attempt to excuse or justify his alleged sexual misconduct.
Please apologize for this comment & clarify how problematic it was. Mythologies like these are one reason #WhyWomenDontReport. pic.twitter.com/Nr5UdJLJf9
— Magdi Jacobs (@magi_jay) October 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/JamesHasson20/status/916722637975453696
It appears that Bloom was also facing pressure internally, with the New York Times reporting that several board members of The Weinstein Company were critical of her approach.
According to the Times, Bob Weinstein and Lance Meirov exchanged a number of “confrontational” emails with Bloom in relation to her public appearances.
In one, Meirov pointed to the existing business relationship between Bloom and The Weinstein Company (which is adapting one of her books into a TV show), claiming that this affected her credibility.
In a separate email, she was accused of “fanning the flames and compounding the problem” with her public statements on Harvey Weinstein, and asked to step aside.
The high-powered producer, who recently took a leave of absence from his company, is suing the New York Times for the publication of an article that details decades of alleged sexual misconduct.
Since the article’s publication, a third of his board members have stepped aside, and Lanny Davis, a key member of his crisis management team, has also quit.
