NEWS ARTICLE
Former Employee Sues Sullivan & Cromwell LLP in Florida, Alleging Fraud, Unauthorized Practice, and
Retaliation
A former employee of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP has filed a wide-ranging lawsuit in Florida state court
alleging that the prominent international law firm engaged in fraudulent and deceptive practices related to
its purported presence and regulatory compliance in Florida.
The complaint, filed December 22 in Leon County Circuit Court by a plaintiff identified as John Doe,
alleges that Sullivan & Cromwell LLP improperly held itself out as authorized to operate in Florida under
its firm name through partnership and LLP filings with the Florida Department of State. The lawsuit
contends that these filings created the appearance of Florida licensure and compliance with The Florida
Bar’s rules when, according to the plaintiff, such authorization did not exist.
According to the complaint, the Florida registrations listed purported “Florida partners” whose identities
allegedly did not correspond to licensed Florida attorneys. The filing also alleges irregularities including
inconsistent partner counts, next-day amendments, and signatures that appeared identical across different
purported signatories.
The lawsuit further claims that the filings were coordinated through a third-party registered agent and that
the use of the Sullivan & Cromwell name — a federally registered trademark — gave the registrations an
air of legitimacy that misled regulators, consumers, and the courts.
Mr. Doe alleges that after he raised internal concerns about Florida compliance and firm-name usage, he
was retaliated against, including being terminated and allegedly blacklisted within the legal profession.
The complaint characterizes this conduct as whistleblower retaliation and part of a broader scheme to
evade Florida’s attorney-regulation framework.
In addition to common-law fraud and unfair competition claims, the lawsuit brings claims under Florida’s
civil RICO statute, alleging an association-in-fact enterprise involving the law firm and third parties, as
well as violations of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
The plaintiff seeks damages, declaratory and injunctive relief, treble damages under Florida’s RICO
statute, and a jury trial.