Moira Penza, a prominent litigation partner and former federal prosecutor, finds herself in a public spotlight not only for her professional achievements but also due to a personal scandal involving her husband. Her husband, Nathaniel Cullerton, a partner at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, has reportedly been suspended after being filmed kissing a colleague. |
Penza gained significant public recognition for her role in prosecuting NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere. The six-week trial culminated in Raniere's conviction and a 120-year prison sentence for racketeering and sex trafficking charges. Her handling of the high-profile case led to her appearance in HBO's documentary 'The Vow' and Starz's 'Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult.' |
Described as a "litigation star," Penza is a partner at Wilkinson Stekloff, an elite trial firm in Manhattan. Her legal career includes representing major corporate clients in complex cases, such as Altria in the JUUL litigation and Allergan in a multibillion-dollar antitrust case. |
Matrimonial lawyers are reportedly speculating on how Penza, known for her legal tenacity, might approach a divorce from Cullerton, her husband of ten years. The couple married in 2016 and share a residence in Wilton, Connecticut, as well as a $2.3 million co-op on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. |
Actress Catherine Oxenberg, whose daughter India was involved with the NXIVM cult, expressed gratitude for Penza's work, describing her as "fearless," "elegant," and possessing "real street smarts." Oxenberg recalled Penza's kindness to witnesses during the Raniere trial. Penza's background includes a family history in the bar business, with her grandfather and uncles owning notable New York establishments like the Mars Bar and Billymark's West. |
Penza's grandfather, Hank Penza, was known for his tough demeanor in the bar industry. Moira Penza is a graduate of Binghamton University and Cornell University Law School.