Explained: Gloria Allred's Departure from the Chandler Case

May 5, 2020

The story surrounding the departure of Gloria Allred from the Chandler case is often misunderstood and misrepresented. A common myth is that Allred was fired because she wanted to pursue a criminal lawsuit while the Chandlers preferred a civil trial for financial compensation. However, this narrative oversimplifies the complexities of the legal landscape and the decisions the family faced.

The Reality of Legal Representation

To begin with, it is crucial to clarify that no private attorney, including Gloria Allred, has the authority to initiate a criminal trial. Criminal prosecutions are handled exclusively by the state, specifically the District Attorney’s Office, which decides whether to file charges based on evidence and investigations. Allred could represent the Chandlers during meetings with authorities and in the court of public opinion, but she had no power to dictate legal proceedings.

At the time of her termination, the criminal investigation into the allegations was ongoing, and the grand jury had yet to determine if charges would be filed. Therefore, the suggestion that Allred’s pursuit of a criminal case was the reason for her dismissal simply does not hold up under scrutiny.

Reasons for the Change in Legal Counsel

Gloria Allred was initially hired because of her reputation as a high-profile attorney, known for her media-savvy approach in handling sensitive cases. However, after a press conference where Allred claimed that the child would come forward to tell his story, the Chandlers opted to terminate her services and hire Larry Feldman instead.

Dismissal letter:

September 8, 1993

Gloria R. Allred, Esq.

ALLRED, MAROKO, GOLDBERG & RIBAKOFF 6360 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1404 Los Angeles, CA 90048

Dear Ms. Allred:

Your services are hereby terminated in connection with the representation of our son, Jordan Chandler. You are to turn over your entire file and all of the materials that we gave to you to our new attorney Larry R. Feldman of Fogel, Feldman, Ostrov, Ringler & Klevens. Moreover, you are hereby instructed not to discuss this case or any aspect of this case with the press or media.

Furthermore, we hereby instruct you that we do not want you to tell the press anything regarding your termination and the information we have given you nor to divulge to the press the name of our new attorneys. If there are any bills for any services that you have performed, please direct those bills to Mr. Feldman. We also request that any communications you wish to have with us from this point forward that you direct them to Mr. Feldman.

Thank you for your services to date. We are confident that you will comply with our request.

Very truly yours,

June Chandler

Evan Chandler

While no official reason was specified in Allred's termination letter, it is widely believed that the family was not comfortable with the media circus that often accompanied Allred’s cases. Given that Jordan Chandler had shown signs of emotional distress, the family likely felt that a less public approach would be more beneficial for his mental health.

Raymond Chandler, Jordan's uncle, elaborates on the family's predicament in his book, "All That Glitters."

By the conclusion of the meeting. June and Dave, like Evan before them, had no doubts about switching from Gloria Allred to Larry Feldman. The choice came down to either waging an all-out media campaign to pressure the DA to seek a Grand Jury indictment, or conducting subtle, behind-the-scenes negotiations toward a quick, quiet and highly profitable settlement. Avoiding the trauma that a lengthy criminal or civil lawsuit would bring to the entire family, especially Jordie, was a no-brainer.

The pressure from public exposure had already soared beyond anyone's imagination. It was, as Monique had put it (pardon her French), "A fucking nightmare!" With Gloria Allred fanning the flames it would get even worse. No one needed that.

In short, the family had two choices:

1. Civil Trial Followed by Possible Criminal Proceedings: This avenue would subject Jordan to a highly publicized legal drama, which could be detrimental to his emotional well-being, especially considering the harassment the family had faced from Michael Jackson's fans.
2. Private Monetary Settlement: This option would allow the Chandlers to reach a resolution discreetly, minimizing public exposure and the associated stress on Jordan.

Recognizing the potential trauma a public trial could bring, particularly given the risks of fan backlash and harassment, the family ultimately decided to seek a more private settlement.

Conclusion

In summary, the firing of Gloria Allred was not due to her desire to initiate a criminal lawsuit but rather the family's need for a representative who would prioritize their privacy and Jordan's emotional well-being. Her media approach was antithetical to the family's desire for a less visible process. Ultimately, the decision to change counsel was made to protect Jordan and allow the family to navigate a challenging situation with as little public exposure as possible.

Moreover, despite her departure, Allred maintained her belief in Michael Jackson’s guilt regarding the allegations against him, stating her longstanding opinion in interviews and public outcries.