The recent departure of Ellen Holloman, a seasoned litigator, from Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft marks the latest in a series of partner exits from the renowned Wall Street firm. Holloman, who has been with Cadwalader for nearly eight years, has transitioned to Roberta Kaplan’s boutique firm, Kaplan Martin. This move signifies a continued shift within Cadwalader, as noted here.
Ellen Holloman, alongside colleague Roberta Kaplan, has represented Sabrina Morrissey, the guardian of talk show host Wendy Williams, in litigation against A&E Network over a documentary about Williams. Her exit from Cadwalader follows the recent departures of Phara Guberman and Kenneth Breen to Foley & Lardner, which come after Cadwalader’s involvement in a controversial arrangement with former President Donald Trump. A deal that exposed the firm to scrutiny, Cadwalader is among nine firms that committed nearly $1 billion in pro bono legal services for Trump to avoid potential punitive executive orders.
Holloman’s move to Kaplan Martin appears to underscore a trend of high-profile attorneys seeking the agility of boutique firms. She expressed enthusiasm for engaging with high-stakes matters within a more compact firm setting, debunking misconceptions that large firms are the only viable venues for such work.
The creation of Kaplan Martin, following Roberta Kaplan’s exit from her previous firm, adds a new dimension to the legal landscape. Textbook examples of high-profile litigation handled by Kaplan include significant cases against Donald Trump and a noted Supreme Court victory for same-sex couples in 2013. Furthermore, Kaplan is entangled in a legal standoff with Trump over congestion pricing on behalf of the Metropolitan Transit Agency.
This transition also highlights Cadwalader’s storied legacy and its historical connections within the legal community. Formerly home to Todd Blanche, now a deputy attorney general, the firm has taken steps to fulfill its obligations under the Trump agreement, potentially by aiding criminal convictions’ defense in collaboration with the Brooklyn district attorney.