Nathaniel Cullerton, a partner at the prestigious law firm Wachtell Lipton, is reportedly being forced out of the firm following an investigation into his relationship with a junior associate, Kelsey Borenzweig. The situation gained widespread attention after a video of Cullerton and Borenzweig kissing in Central Park went viral.
Cullerton, 45, has been on leave from the firm for several weeks while Wachtell conducted its review. Sources indicate that while Cullerton remains technically employed and on leave, his departure from the firm is considered imminent, though the exact timing of his separation remains unclear. It is also not publicly known if Cullerton is receiving payment during his leave.
The viral video captured Cullerton, a partner, and Borenzweig, a 29-year-old associate in the firm's litigation department, in a public display of affection in Central Park. The incident immediately led to significant fallout for Cullerton.
Previously, Cullerton had been slated to join rival firm Gibson Dunn with a group of top litigators, including star attorney Bill Savitt. However, Gibson Dunn reportedly rescinded its offer of employment for Cullerton after the video surfaced. The core issue, according to sources, was not solely the public spectacle but also the professional hierarchy between Cullerton and Borenzweig, who was a more junior member of the same department.
The upheaval at Wachtell's litigation department extends beyond Cullerton's situation. Savitt, along with five other partners—Sarah Eddy, Anitha Reddy, Randall Jackson, Ryan McLeod, and Brad Wilson—recently departed Wachtell for Gibson Dunn. Cullerton was expected to be part of this group before his Central Park encounter. In a separate matter within the same litigation group, it was previously reported that Savitt and Sarah Eddy were romantically involved while both were partners at Wachtell. Their relationship reportedly ended around the time they left the firm for Gibson Dunn.
Wachtell has no policy prohibiting consensual relationships between colleagues. Savitt's move to Gibson Dunn was reportedly accompanied by a substantial financial package, though the exact figures have been disputed.