A prominent Manhattan attorney was placed on leave from one of New York’s most prestigious law firms after video of him kissing a younger colleague in Central Park exploded across social media, racking up four million views and derailing a planned career move worth millions.

Partner Sidelined Amid Investigation

Nathaniel Cullerton, a 45-year-old married partner at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, was removed from active duty as the firm investigates the viral incident, according to sources who spoke with the Financial Times. The video shows Cullerton engaged in a passionate embrace with 29-year-old associate Kelsey Borenzweig on a park bench before a camera-wielding content creator confronted the pair. Both attorneys worked on the legal team defending OpenAI and Sam Altman against Elon Musk’s $150 billion lawsuit earlier this year.

The scandal forced Cullerton to abandon plans to join Gibson Dunn, a rival firm, where more than half a dozen attorneys from Wachtell were set to transfer this week. Sources confirmed the high-profile move collapsed after the video spread across TikTok last week. Borenzweig’s employment status remains unclear, though both attorneys still appeared on the Wachtell website as of Tuesday.

Confrontation Captured on Camera

The viral footage shows content creator Jay Guapo interrupting the lawyers mid-kiss, telling them to get a room because children were nearby. Cullerton stood up with an embarrassed smile and attempted to wave the camera away while Borenzweig calmly asked him to put the phone down. The exchange escalated when Cullerton moved toward the TikToker, who warned him not to make physical contact. Guapo has built a following by posting confrontational content across social media platforms.

High-Stakes Professional Fallout

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz ranks among the most elite corporate law firms in America, known for handling billion-dollar mergers and complex litigation. Partners at such firms typically earn seven-figure annual compensation. The incident raises questions about workplace relationships and professional conduct standards at top-tier legal practices. A source told the Daily Mail that Borenzweig recently ended a relationship with another attorney. Neither Wachtell, Gibson Dunn, nor Cullerton responded to requests for comment about the investigation or employment status of either lawyer involved.