OpenAI lawyer’s viral kiss could cost him multimillion-dollar job

A viral video showing a married New York lawyer kissing a younger colleague in Central Park has reportedly derailed his planned move to another top law firm, putting a multimillion-dollar career opportunity at risk.According to the Financial Times, Nathaniel Cullerton, 45, a partner at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, has been placed on leave while the firm investigates the incident. The report said Cullerton was due to join rival Manhattan law firm Gibson Dunn as part of a high-profile lateral hiring move, but the offer was reportedly withdrawn after the video spread widely on social media.Viral video sparks controversyCullerton was filmed kissing his 29-year-old colleague, Kelsey Borenzweig, on a bench in Central Park. The clip was recorded by TikTok creator Jay Guapo, who interrupted the pair by saying, "Get a room. There's kids around."The two appeared surprised, quickly looking up and attempting to shield themselves from the camera. The video quickly gained traction online, drawing comparisons from some social media users to last year's widely discussed Coldplay concert "cheating scandal."The clip has since been viewed nearly six million times on TikTok and around four million times on Instagram.Job move reportedly falls throughThe timing of the incident proved particularly damaging. According to the Financial Times, Cullerton was expected to leave Wachtell Lipton this week to join Gibson Dunn, following prominent trial lawyer Bill Savitt, who recently moved firms and reportedly brought several senior litigators with him.However, the report said Gibson Dunn withdrew its offer after the kissing video went viral.Legal industry sources told the New York Post that Cullerton likely earns at least $4 million annually as a partner at Wachtell Lipton. While the firm's average partner compensation reportedly stands at around $12 million a year, industry experts noted that junior partners typically earn less than that figure. They also suggested that Cullerton may have been in line for an even more lucrative package at Gibson Dunn.Worked on OpenAI's legal victoryCullerton and Borenzweig were both members of the Wachtell Lipton legal team that represented OpenAI in its successful defence against Elon Musk's $150 billion lawsuit in California earlier this year.Their team was led by Bill Savitt, whose move to Gibson Dunn was one of the most significant legal industry departures in recent months.Personal life under spotlightCullerton is married to prosecutor Moira Kim Penza, who led the federal prosecution that secured the conviction of NXIVM founder Keith Raniere. Public records indicate the couple share an apartment on Manhattan's Upper East Side.It remains unclear whether Cullerton's leave from Wachtell Lipton is paid or what disciplinary action, if any, the firm may take following its investigation.Neither Wachtell Lipton nor Gibson Dunn responded to media requests for comment. Cullerton and Borenzweig have also not publicly commented on the matter.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.