Full Breakdown
Top Corporate Litigator William Savitt Leaves Wachtell for Gibson Dunn
8/1/2026, 4:31:17 AM
Savitt’s Move from Wachtell to Gibson Dunn
In late May, elite corporate litigator William Savitt, co-chair of the litigation practice at Wachtell Lipton, accepted an invitation to join Gibson Dunn. The recruitment was conducted over breakfast at the Jean-Georges restaurant Nougatine near New York’s Central Park, where Gibson Dunn partner Orin Snyder presented the opportunity.
Background: Two Decades at Wachtell
Savitt had spent twenty years at Wachtell Lipton, the Wall Street firm renowned for handling high-profile mergers, acquisitions, and shareholder disputes. His reputation as a leading litigator made him a marquee figure in the corporate law arena.
Details of the Recruitment Offer
Snyder, who represents clients such as LeBron James, Bob Dylan and Lady Gaga, framed the move as a chance to “practice law together” with a global firm that employs roughly 2,200 lawyers across more than 20 offices. The offer included a multimillion-dollar raise that would lift Savitt’s annual compensation to at least $20 million.
Implications for the Legal Market
Savitt’s transition signals a rare shift of talent from a boutique, elite firm to a large, multinational practice. Industry observers note that such moves could intensify competition for top litigators and potentially reshape compensation benchmarks at leading law firms. The recruitment also underscores Gibson Dunn’s strategy of expanding its high-stakes litigation roster by targeting partners with deep client relationships and extensive courtroom experience.
