Lisa Bloom on Representing Epstein Victims and the Weinstein Controversy
If Lisa Bloom had been advising high-profile figures like Peter Mandelson or the then Prince Andrew before their ill-fated television interviews, she would have urged them to listen to Jeffrey Epstein's victims first. "Or even just watch some of the powerful documentaries that have been made, centering the victims, telling their stories," Bloom says, pausing to convey her disbelief. "I'd have wanted them to become really enlightened about it. But you really can't instil compassion in someone if they don't have compassion. It's hard to implant it in there."
A Career Dedicated to Victims' Rights
Bloom, a California-based lawyer with four decades of experience specialising in sexual misconduct cases, is currently acting for 11 of Epstein's victims. In December, she launched new legal proceedings against the FBI on behalf of eight clients, arguing that the agency failed to investigate credible reports of Epstein's misconduct involving minors dating back to 1996. The lawsuit claims that an FBI official hung up on one of the first women to report Epstein, and that the organisation never followed up, potentially allowing hundreds more women to be abused.
The tendency of powerful men to ignore victims' voices is a recurring theme in the Epstein scandal. Bloom notes that when Mandelson appeared on television recently, he initially made no apology for his friendship with Epstein after the financier's 2008 conviction. Similarly, the British royal family's slow response to allegations about Prince Andrew's involvement drew her criticism. "When people appear not to care about victims, they don't care about victims," she concludes.
Securing Compensation and Facing Criticism
In 2021, Bloom secured compensation from the Epstein estate for all 11 of her clients, with settlements ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. Her firm also obtained payouts from a claim against JP Morgan, Epstein's bank. However, her reputation has been marred by her decision to advise Harvey Weinstein in 2016 on ways to discredit his accusers, including actor Rose McGowan. Bloom has apologised for this, calling it a "colossal mistake," and notes that her firm now acts exclusively for victims.
Bloom defends her work by pointing out that lawyers often represent distasteful people, and that her clients focus on her ability to win cases. She takes pride in securing large payouts, which she says help victims rebuild their lives—enabling them to move to safer neighbourhoods, pursue education, or access therapy. "I'm a big believer in taking money from the hands of bad guys and putting it in the hands of women," she says.
Challenges and Future Battles
Some campaigners, like Weinstein's former PA Zelda Perkins, criticise the practice of high settlements with confidentiality clauses, arguing it silences victims and allows predators to continue. Bloom responds that she never pushes clients to sign such clauses if they don't want to, and notes that many victims prefer confidentiality to protect their privacy. Her firm typically takes between 33% and 45% of settlements, citing the quality of legal representation provided.
Bloom is now preparing for the next phase of her campaign, including the FBI lawsuit. She expresses frustration at delays in releasing Epstein-related files and concerns about softer treatment for Ghislaine Maxwell. "I know that the FBI is going to fight back and come up with every legal argument they can, and so we're prepared for that fight," she says. She hopes for a congressional investigation into figures like Donald Trump's role with Epstein.
Reflecting on her career, Bloom emphasises her lifelong commitment to justice, influenced by her mother, attorney Gloria Allred. Despite controversies, she remains a key figure in seeking accountability for Epstein's victims, driven by a belief in empowering women through legal action.
