No. 1:18-bk-10601 (Bankr. D. Del. Mar 19, 2018)
Firm: Cravath, Swaine & Moore
Issue Area: Sexual Misconduct & #MeToo
Cravath defended Harvey Weinstein's studio, The Weinstein Company Holdings, in its settlement negotiations with victims of his sexual misconduct. According to its website, "Cravath served as lead counsel for the almost three years of extensive negotiations that led to the global settlement of potential claims against TWC and potential claims against various parties related to Harvey Weinstein’s misconduct."
While Cravath's website celebrates the $17 million fund to compensate victims of its client's misconduct, public reporting suggests that Cravath itself received more than $26 million for its representation. Public records confirm that Cravath billed Weinstein upwards of $2 million per month during this representation. That means Cravath profited off of Harvey Weinstein's misconduct, and it took in more in legal fees than it paid out in settlements.
Note that, according to investigative reporting, Cravath attorney Paul Zumbro indicated that the Weinstein directors and insurance companies would not have approved the settlement without liability shields.