Sullivan & Cromwell controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2026
AI-generated citations in a bankruptcy filing
Reference material states that the firm submitted inaccurate, AI-generated legal citations in a bankruptcy matter, later apologized to the court, and did not identify the responsible attorney.
2024
Recruiting background-check criticism
Reports about the firm’s review of applicants’ social-media activity, protest participation, and related footage generated criticism from academics and commentators concerned about collective attribution and discriminatory effects.
2022
FTX representation controversy
The firm’s advice to FTX before its collapse and subsequent representation of the bankruptcy estate prompted allegations concerning conflicts, disclosure, and the adequacy of advice given before bankruptcy. A later examination reportedly found no firm participation in fraud or failure to disregard warning signs.
2008
Insider-trading investigation involving former lawyer
A former S&C attorney was identified in an insider-trading conspiracy involving information allegedly obtained at S&C and another firm. The broader scheme was reported to have generated more than $10 million in illegal profits.
1954
Role in the Guatemalan coup controversy
The firm represented United Fruit Company, whose commercial and political interests were connected in historical accounts to lobbying around the overthrow of Guatemalan President Jacobo Arbenz.
1930
Representation connected with German industrial and arms interests
Historical accounts describe the firm’s assistance in incorporating German chemical interests, including I.G. Farben, into an international nickel cartel during the period of Nazi Germany’s military buildup.