They’ve Got Next: The 40 Under 40 - Morgan Ratner of Sullivan & Cromwell

Please describe two of your most substantial, recent wins in practice.

Arkansas Teacher Retirement System v. Goldman Sachs is a winthat demonstrates the value of perseverance. This $13 billion securities case had bounced among the district court, the Second Circuit, and the Supreme Court for more than a decade. Before I got involved, the case had already taken two trips to the Second Circuit on Rule 23(f) appeals, plus a trip to the Supreme Court. I helped with the third Rule 23(f) petition, which was granted—only the second time that a single case has generated three Rule 23(f) grants. I then helped with strategy and briefing in the Second Circuit, and we (finally!) got a definitive win for the client last August.

Great Lakes Insurance v. Raiders Retreat is a win that illustrates the joys of being an appellate generalist. I knew little about maritime law before this case, which we joined at the cert-reply stage. The Supreme Court granted review, and we quickly began learning the complex history of maritime law and thinking about how to communicate those complexities in a way that would resonate with the Supreme Court. The court unanimously sided with our client in February, in a ruling that will provide important guidance to the marine insurance industry—which is now an industry I know something about!

What is the most important lesson you learned as a first-year attorney and how does it inform your practice today?

I learned that the best legal writing is a lot of work. Even Supreme Court justices, who are at the top of their craft, prepare draft after draft, spend time sitting with counterarguments, and edit relentlessly. The best writers aren’t too proud of their work to implement others’ good ideas, and they follow their natural style.

How do you define success in your practice?

Success in my practice means dedication to client service. You can’t always control the outcome of a case, but you can control the effort, thought, and care you put into the matter and the relationships you build with clients. When a matter ends, I want every client to know that I was dedicated from start to finish.

I also define success by the accomplishments of our appellate group as a whole. We work hard to mentor and develop talent, support each other, and take pride in each other’s growth and achievements. It’s the most rewarding kind of success to see somebody I’ve mentored standing at the lectern herself and delivering a stand-out oral argument.

What are you most proud of as a lawyer?

I’m most proud that I’ve become the lawyer that I am without sacrificing the person that I am. I’m devoted to my job, but I’m even more devoted to my kids. I’ve juggled real life to become a successful lawyer and mom—whether arguing cases with morning sickness, preparing for argument while washing bottles, or dodging runny noses to keep my suit clean before a big meeting. It’s hard work. And women sometimes, though far from always, feel those challenges especially acutely.

So, I’m also proud that I’ve used my platform to be an advocate for women in the appellate field, to bring attention to the gender disparity that persists, and to encourage women associates not to listen to anybody who tells them what their lives can and can’t look like.

Who is your greatest mentor in the law and what have they taught you?

I’ve had a string of great bosses, including two Supreme Court justices and my current colleague Jeff Wall, whom I worked for at the Solicitor General’s office. All of them taught me to take ownership of every detail of a case. You never get too important to outgrow responsibility for knowing the ins and outs of a case, or even for fixing the occasional errant comma.

Tell us your two favorite songs on your summer music playlist.

“Strangers Like Me” – Phil Collins (Tarzan soundtrack). I have three kids under age six, and they are firmly in the Disney phase. We push them toward the soundtracks that we don’t mind hearing on repeat, and “Tarzan” is a winner.

And “Tennessee Whiskey” – Chris Stapleton. When the weather gets warm, we’re usually playing Chris Stapleton or the Avett Brothers on our back porch. Just the right summer vibes in my otherwise-chaotic house.

Morgan Ratner of Sullivan & Cromwell and two of her three children.

Credit: Morgan Ratner and Jonathan Hurtarte/Bloomberg Law