# Central Park viral lawyer kiss – partner suspended

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/central-park-viral-lawyer-kiss
> Updated: 2026-07-31T06:14:15.000Z. Sources: 21. Developments: 4.

The TikTok clip of Wachtell partner Nathaniel D. Cullerton (also reported as Nejtanijel Kalerton) kissing associate Kelsey Borenzweig (also reported as Kelsi Borencvajg) in Central Park continues to dominate headlines. The 20‑second video went viral in late July 2025, prompting Wachtell to place Cullerton on paid leave while an internal investigation began. The scandal derailed a pending multi‑million‑dollar lateral move to Gibson Dunn, which withdrew its offer. On 29 July 2026 the firm confirmed Cullerton’s suspension pending the probe, noting his annual earnings exceed $4 million. By 31 July 2026 the investigation remained ongoing; no formal disciplinary action against Borenzweig has been disclosed.

Further reporting on 31 July 2026 noted the kiss could cost Cullerton roughly $12 million in partnership compensation. Influencer Jay Guapõ livestreamed the incident to more than 6 million viewers and remarked, “there are children around, get a hotel room,” intensifying public criticism. A new TikTok post, now 39 seconds long and also shared on Instagram, amassed millions of views, reinforcing concerns about professional conduct and privacy in public spaces. No criminal charges have been filed. The potential financial loss and the viral spread have heightened scrutiny of his personal conduct and reinforced speculation that the pending move is effectively cancelled. Cullerton, married to fellow attorney Moira Penzo and residing on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, remains temporarily suspended, and both lawyers’ profiles still appear on the firm’s website. The episode has intensified debate over workplace conduct, consent, and the impact of viral social‑media exposure on elite legal professionals, especially as they continue to represent OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman in the high‑profile lawsuit filed by Elon Musk.

## Claims

- Nathaniel Cullerton, a 45-year-old partner at Wachtell Lipton, was filmed kissing Kelsey Borenzweig on a bench in Central Park. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The video was posted by TikTok creator Jay Guapo and quickly went viral, receiving millions of views. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Wachtell Lipton placed Cullerton on leave pending an internal investigation. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Gibson Dunn withdrew a pending job offer to Cullerton after the video went public. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Cullerton earns at least $4 million annually as a junior partner at Wachtell Lipton. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Cullerton and Borenzweig were members of the legal team that defended OpenAI and Sam Altman in a lawsuit brought by Elon Musk. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- No official disciplinary action against Borenzweig has been reported. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Cullerton has been married to Moira Penza since 2016. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-07-31: NYC lawyer Nathaniel Cullerton suspended after viral Central Park kiss

NY lawyer Nathaniel Cullerton was placed on leave after a TikTok‑viral kiss with colleague Kelsey Borenzweig in Central Park, costing him a multi‑million‑dollar job offer.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nyc-lawyer-nejtanijel-kalerton-loses-multimillion-dollar-deal-after-park-kiss-scandal

### 2026-07-29: Wachtell Partner Nathaniel Cullerton Suspended After Viral Central Park Kiss Video

Wachtell partner Nathaniel Cullerton was placed on leave after a viral TikTok showed him kissing colleague Kelsey Borenzweig in Central Park; Gibson Dunn withdrew his job offer, threatening a multi‑million‑doll

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wachtell-lawyer-nathaniel-cullerton-placed-on-leave-after-viral-tiktok-kiss

### 2026-07-26: Wachtell Lawyers Identified After Viral Central Park Kiss Video

TikTok footage of two lawyers kissing in Central Park was identified as Wachtell partner Nathaniel Cullerton and associate Kelsey Borenzweig, who recently defended OpenAI, prompting viral media attention.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wachtell-lawyers-identified-after-viral-central-park-kiss-video

### 2026-07-24: TikTok video of two lawyers kissing in Central Park goes viral

TikTok creator Jay Guapõ posted a video of lawyers Kelsey Borenzweig and Nathaniel Cullerton kissing on a Central Park bench, sparking social‑media debate over privacy, workplace ethics, and viral content.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tiktok-video-of-two-lawyers-kissing-in-central-park-goes-viral

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Cite as: Central Park viral lawyer kiss – partner suspended. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/central-park-viral-lawyer-kiss
