Summary (tl;dr)

The prestigious law firm Sullivan & Cromwell is experiencing significant internal conflict among its partners over the firm's decision to represent Donald Trump in his appeal of an $83 million defamation verdict involving E. Jean Carroll, a move that contradicts previous assurances by firm leadership.

Essential Background

Donald Trump has been involved in several high-profile legal battles, including two lawsuits filed by E. Jean Carroll. In 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, awarding Carroll $5 million. Following that, in 2024, another jury found Trump liable for an additional $83 million in defamation damages to Carroll. Trump has been actively appealing these verdicts, with the U.S. Supreme Court having recently declined to review his appeal of the initial $5 million verdict in June 2026.

The Full Story

Reports emerging around July 10, 2026, indicate that partners at the elite law firm Sullivan & Cromwell are deeply divided over the firm's expanding legal representation of Donald Trump. This "civil war" within the firm intensified after Sullivan & Cromwell began assisting Trump in preparing a petition to the Supreme Court for review of the $83 million defamation verdict in the E. Jean Carroll case. This involvement directly contradicts prior assurances reportedly made by Sullivan & Cromwell co-chairman Robert Giuffra to partners that the firm would avoid taking on cases related to the E. Jean Carroll litigation, despite having agreed last year to handle other appeals for Trump concerning civil fraud and falsified business records. The decision to undertake the Carroll case, and reportedly the initial decision to represent Trump, was made by the firm's executive committee, bypassing the typical committee of managing partners, which has raised concerns about internal governance and transparency.

Why It Matters

This internal dispute at Sullivan & Cromwell is significant because it highlights the ethical and reputational challenges that major law firms face when representing controversial public figures like Donald Trump. The firm's pivot on the E. Jean Carroll case, after previous assurances, could strain partner relations and raise questions about the firm's decision-making processes. Furthermore, it underscores a broader trend of Trump relying on legal teams that prioritize loyalty and are willing to pursue arguments that other lawyers might hesitate to take, reflecting a shift in the traditional approach to high-stakes legal proceedings. The firm's increasingly close relationship with Trump, with some partners even receiving nominations for top government positions, adds another layer of scrutiny regarding the intersection of law, politics, and potential influence.

Geographic Location

• New York, New York County, New York, United States (internal firm dispute at Sullivan & Cromwell headquarters; E. Jean Carroll defamation trial proceedings; Second Circuit Court of Appeals appearance)
• Washington, D.C., District of Columbia, United States (Supreme Court petition for review of defamation verdict)