Sullivan and Cromwell faces internal revolt over representing Trump in sexual abuse appeals
"The chair of Sullivan and Cromwell told the partners who were very uneasy about this firm leaning in and representing Donald Trump in all these cases, 'Don't worry, we're going to represent him on these cases, more of the businessy cases. We're a business firm, but we will not represent him on any appeals regarding sexual abuse and sexual assault civil cases, any of his other kind of frivolous litigations that he files.' Well, then they leaned in on these cases and now all these other partners are like, 'What the heck? We know you're sullying the name of Sullivan and Cromwell and the reputation of why we even are at this firm' and so now there's talk is there going to be a mass exodus out of Sullivan right now cuz people are absolutely pissed that they're now associated with cases like this."
About this episode
Host Ben Meiselas and legal analyst Harry Litman discuss Donald Trump's relentless attempts to delay paying E. Jean Carroll the $5 million jury award from her sexual assault and defamation case. After the Supreme Court denied Trump's petition for certiorari without dissent in June, Trump immediately filed for a rehearing—a motion that has not succeeded at the Supreme Court since 1965. Judge Lewis Kaplan of the Southern District of New York issued a scathing order rejecting Trump's stalling tactics, stating that Trump has been delaying the case for years and it is time for him to pay the judgment. Trump then sought an emergency stay from the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, which denied his motion in a one-sentence order. The episode reveals significant internal turmoil at Sullivan and Cromwell, one of the country's most prestigious law firms now representing Trump. The firm's leadership had promised partners it would only handle Trump's business cases and avoid his sexual abuse appeals, but has since broken that promise, leading to talk of a potential mass exodus of partners who feel the firm's reputation is being damaged. Litman, who clerked for two Supreme Court justices, explained that Trump's petition for rehearing is utterly frivolous and that his tactics now associate him in judges' minds with the most extreme pro-se litigants. The discussion emphasizes how New York's bond requirement prevented Trump from hiding assets, ensuring Carroll will receive her judgment plus interest. Litman predicts Trump will ultimately owe Carroll approximately $105-110 million when the larger $83.3 million defamation judgment is included with accrued interest.
Key takeaways
- Sullivan and Cromwell faces internal revolt after leadership broke promise not to represent Trump in sexual abuse appeals, with partners threatening mass exodus over reputational damage.
- Supreme Court denied Trump's petition for certiorari without dissent, followed by Trump filing for rehearing despite Supreme Court not granting such petitions since 1965.
- Judge Lewis Kaplan issued scathing order stating Trump has stalled E. Jean Carroll case for years and must pay the $5 million sexual assault judgment.
- Second Circuit Court of Appeals denied Trump's emergency motion for administrative stay in one-sentence order, clearing way for Carroll to receive funds.
- Harry Litman stated Trump's frivolous tactics associate him with the craziest pro-se litigants in federal judges' view, completely undermining his legal credibility.
- New York's bond requirement prevented Trump from hiding assets, with $5.55 million already secured in court for Carroll's judgment plus interest.
- Litman predicts Trump will ultimately pay approximately $105-110 million to Carroll when including the separate $83.3 million defamation judgment with accrued interest.