The scandalous saga of a married law partner’s parkside escapade could cost him a fortune after a high-profile job opportunity was pulled, insiders revealed to The Post on Wednesday.
Nathaniel Cullerton, a prominent figure in the legal world at 45, allegedly earns over $4 million annually as a partner at the prestigious law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Cullerton has been placed on leave as the firm launches an investigation into a viral video capturing the incident, as reported by the Financial Times.
The ill-timed footage shows Cullerton in a passionate embrace with 29-year-old colleague Kelsey Borenzweig. This display threatened his imminent career move to powerhouse Manhattan firm Gibson Dunn, causing significant waves in the Big Law scene, insiders suggested.
The Financial Times also detailed how Gibson Dunn withdrew their job offer following the surge in views of the kissing footage, despite social media comments skewering the TikTok user for violating the pair’s privacy more than the duo’s public affection.
The average pay for a partner at Wachtell Lipton is a jaw-dropping $12 million — making them the most handsomely paid partners in the world, according to BCG Attorney Search.
Experts said that as a junior partner, Cullerton would be on considerably less.
But, he presumably would have been offered even more after being poached by Gibson Dunn.
Both Cullerton and Borenzweig were part of the Wachtell Lipton team that repped OpenAI and beat Elon Musk’s $150 billion lawsuit in a California court this year.
The “mastermind” of that successful defense, renowned attorney Bill Savitt, was recently lured away by Gibson Dunn and took a handful of senior trial lawyers with him.
Cullterton was meant to be part of the defection, as well, according to the FT.
Cullerton is married to prosecutor Moira Kim Penza, who was lead attorney on the federal case that convicted NXIVM sex cult founder Keith Raniere. They share an Upper East Side apartment, according to records.
It wasn’t immediately clear if Cullerton was placed on a paid leave, or what his fate will be.
Cullerton and Borenzweig were caught on camera passionately making out on a bench in the park as camera-wielding TikTok user Jay Guapõ interrupts them by scolding, “Get a room. There’s kids around.”
They then look up in embarrassment and shield themselves from the camera.
Social media users went wild for the footage, with some comparing it to the Coldplay concert cheating scandal last year.
The video has been viewed nearly 6 million times on TikTok 4 million views on Instagram.
Neither Watchell Lipton nor Gibson Dunn responded to a request for comment. Cullerton and Borenzweig also did not respond.