Wachtell Lipton Hired Joon Kim as Litigation Partner
The firm recruited the former acting Manhattan US attorney to strengthen its litigation and enforcement practice.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in People
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Wachtell Lipton has hired Joon Kim as a litigation partner to bolster the firm following a series of high-profile departures. Kim joins the New York-based firm after spending eight years as a partner at Cleary Gottlieb.
Why it matters
The hire arrives as Wachtell Lipton looks to reinforce its litigation department, which currently includes 20 partners, after five partners left the firm for Gibson Dunn in June 2026.
Wachtell Lipton currently maintains 20 litigation partners and 35 corporate partners. Prior to joining the firm, Joon Kim served as a litigation partner at Cleary Gottlieb for 8 years.
The players
Joon Kim
He is a prominent attorney who previously served as the acting Manhattan US attorney and led the investigation into former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Wachtell Lipton
This Manhattan-based law firm is well-known for its elite corporate and litigation practices.
Bill Savitt
He is a high-profile attorney who left his partnership at Wachtell Lipton in June 2026.
Andrew Cuomo
He is the former Governor of New York who faced sexual harassment allegations investigated by Joon Kim in 2021.
The details
Kim will focus on litigation, enforcement, and white-collar crime matters at Wachtell Lipton. His background includes serving as the chief of the Southern District of New York criminal division and conducting the 2021 investigation into sexual harassment allegations against Andrew Cuomo.
Timeline
Joon Kim served as acting Manhattan US attorney starting in 2017 for a 10-month period.
Kim investigated sexual harassment allegations against Andrew Cuomo in 2021.
Bill Savitt and five other partners departed Wachtell Lipton in June 2026.
Joon Kim joined Wachtell Lipton on October 1, 2026.
Market Landscape
Wachtell Lipton's addition of a high-profile prosecutor mirrors broader industry trends where top firms recruit former government officials to navigate complex regulatory environments. This move positions the firm to compete more aggressively in the white-collar defense sector against rival firms like Gibson Dunn.
For corporate clients, this hire signals that Wachtell Lipton is prioritizing its ability to handle complex enforcement actions and white-collar defense. The transition of senior legal talent suggests that clients can expect a continued focus on high-stakes litigation services in New York.
The takeaway
Top-tier law firms frequently pivot to senior government alumni to maintain their competitive edge in high-stakes litigation. Leveraging such expertise is a common strategy for firms aiming to navigate complex regulatory and white-collar criminal landscapes.
Further reading
For more on industry personnel changes, visit the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Financial Times News.
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