N.Y.People moves
Wachtell moves rare lateral Joon Kim from Cleary into New York litigation
Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz hired former Manhattan federal prosecutor Joon Kim from Cleary Gottlieb as a New York litigation partner, Bloomberg Law, Legal Business, and Law360 Pulse reported on October 1, 2026. Kim's work includes investigations and white-collar matters. The hire follows the departure of Wachtell co-chair William Savitt and other partners to Gibson Dunn.
Announcement (Legal Business) → · Bloomberg Law, Law360 Pulse
Key points
- Joon Kim joined Wachtell as a New York litigation partner from Cleary Gottlieb.Legal BusinessBloomberg LawLaw360 Pulse
- Kim is a former Manhattan federal prosecutor with white-collar and investigations experience.Bloomberg LawLaw360 Pulse
- Outlets framed the hire as rare for Wachtell, which seldom takes laterals.Legal BusinessBloomberg Law
- The move follows William Savitt's departure with other partners to Gibson Dunn.Legal BusinessBloomberg Law
- At Cleary, Kim was a litigation and enforcement partner.Bloomberg LawLaw360 Pulse