Gloria Allred Talks Tiger Woods, Defends Media Tactics and 'Imperfect' Clients

Feminist lawyer Gloria Allred says Woods needs to be held accountable.

ByABC News
August 26, 2010, 2:31 PM

Aug. 26, 2010— -- Behind every great tabloid story stands a lover scorned, and in Tiger Woods's case, you could say multiple lovers scorned. But behind several of Tiger Woods's alleged ex-lovers, stands Gloria Allred.

"I think that Tiger Woods need to be accountable, and I hope I had some small role in making him accountable," Allred told "Nightline" in a wide-ranging interview that covered everything from her role in the scandal involving the famed golfer, to criticism that she is a "media whore" who has set back women's rights rather than promoted them.

Allred says she considers herself a modern day suffragette, and has represented thousands of women in her 35 years as a feminist lawyer at private firms in Los Angeles.

Allred represented Rachel Uchitel, who reportedly settled her claims with Woods for $10 million, and currently represents Joslyn James, a former porn star who is another of Woods's alleged mistresses.

"I fell head-over-heels, stupid, crazy love," James acknowledged. "I feel really stupid for doing that."

Allred has a long list of high-profile clients, many at the heart of today's voracious celebrity tabloid culture. She represented British actress Charlotte Lewis when she accused director Roman Polanski of raping her when she was16, and Amber Frey, the ex-girlfriend of Scott Peterson when he was accused of murdering his wife.

"There's a lawyer who represents a lot of celebrity men in this town, and I've said to him, 'you represent the Hollywood bad boys, and I represent the women they hurt,'" Allred said.

Allred is well known for her high-profile clients and even higher profile press conferences promoting their causes.

In response to critics, she says she believes in helping women who have been betrayed and wants to give them a voice.

"Women should not have to suffer in silence," Allred stated. Her near-celebrity status often generates a buzz, whether it's at a news conference behind a bank of microphones or in front of the cameras of the paparazzi. They know if they see Allred, she is probably handling a juicy case.

"[The paparazzi] don't camp out, but they're often alert," she said.

In actuality, many of Allred's cases don't reach the courtroom but are often settled confidentially out of court, away from TV cameras. She even claims that in some circles, she is better known for her silence than her outspokenness.