NY’s Oldest Law Firm Loses Key Partners, Faces Tough Choices

Sept. 30, 2025, 4:11 PM UTC

You don’t get to be the oldest law firm in New York without weathering some rough spots. But this may be one of the most difficult periods Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft has ever gone through.

Listen here and subscribe to On The Merits on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Megaphone, or Audible.

The Wall Street firm, which this week announced a new managing co-partner, has lost nearly three dozen partners just this year. And not all of them have left because of the firm’s controversial deal with President Trump for free legal services.

On today’s episode of our podcast, On The Merits, Bloomberg Law reporter Justin Henry explains why Cadwalader may be too specialized to thrive in today’s full-service legal industry. He also talks about ways the firm can turn itself around without having to resort to a merger.

Do you have feedback on this episode of On The Merits? Give us a call and leave a voicemail at 703-341-3690.


To contact the reporter on this story: David Schultz in Washington at dschultz@bloomberglaw.com

Learn more about Bloomberg Law or Log In to keep reading:

Learn About Bloomberg Law

AI-powered legal analytics, workflow tools and premium legal & business news.

Already a subscriber?

Log in to keep reading or access research tools.