Wachtell Partner Nathaniel Cullerton Departs After Viral Central Park Scandal
The high-profile lawyer's exit follows an investigation into his relationship with a junior associate.
Nathaniel Cullerton, a 45-year-old partner at the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, has left the firm following an investigation into a public display of affection with a junior associate. Sources confirmed Cullerton's departure to The Post on Thursday.
The firm and Cullerton "mutually agreed to part ways," a Wachtell spokesperson stated.
Cullerton had been on leave for several weeks while the firm investigated his relationship with 29-year-old associate Kelsey Borenzweig. The pair were filmed kissing on a park bench in Central Park, and the video was widely shared on TikTok. The firm reportedly raised concerns about the discrepancy in their professional ranks.
It remains unclear whether Cullerton received pay during his leave or if Borenzweig's employment status has been affected. Cullerton's departure also scuttled a planned move to the law firm Gibson Dunn, according to sources.
The incident occurs amidst a period of significant partner departures from Wachtell. In July, star litigator Bill Savitt, who represented OpenAI in its dispute with Elon Musk, left for Gibson Dunn, taking five other partners with him. Savitt's own exit had drawn attention due to a reported romantic relationship with fellow Wachtell partner Sarah Eddy, who also moved to Gibson Dunn.
Other notable departures from Wachtell this year include Mark Gordon, who joined Linklaters, and Joshua Feltman, former head of restructuring, who moved to Kirkland & Ellis. Four younger partners also recently left for Latham & Watkins.
Wachtell is known for its prestigious "poison pill" defense strategies and, according to the Financial Times, offers some of the highest average partner earnings among U.S. law firms, largely adhering to a lockstep pay structure. The firm reportedly has no policy against consensual relationships between colleagues.