Biglaw

Willkie Farr Finally Speaks About Their Partner's Role In The College Admissions Cheating Scandal

Biglaw firm responds to their connection to the college admissions scandal.

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Willkie Farr & Gallagher (photo by David Lat).

My time working for Above the Law has taught me that anytime a Biglaw partner gets in trouble with the law, there is a lot of interest in the industry. Given the nature of the allegations against Willkie Farr Co-Chair Gordon Caplan in the college admissions scandal, which combine elitism, wealth, and power — plus the connections to Hollywood actresses — the appetite for information about the case has been voracious. But other than the indictment, there’s been little else to report. The fact Caplan was been charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services fraud in connection with the college admissions scandal has been shocking, and the Biglaw firm where he worked has been pretty quiet about the matter.

Until now. Willkie Farr has released a statement about the fate of Caplan — at least as it relates to his future at the firm. The firm has decided to place Caplan on a leave of absence and take away all responsibilities for the management of the firm:

As widely reported, one of our partners, Gordon Caplan, was among the persons charged in the college admissions matter. This is a personal matter and does not involve Willkie or any of its clients. In light of the seriousness of the matter, Mr. Caplan has been placed on a leave of absence from the Firm and will have no further Firm management responsibilities. The Firm will continue to be managed by its Chairmen, Steven Gartner and Thomas Cerabino, and its Executive Committee. Our focus remains on our responsibilities to our clients, partners and employees.

That’s likely all the firm will say on the matter — at least until the wheels of justice churn a little further in Caplan’s case.

headshotKathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, and host of The Jabot podcast. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).

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