[ by Howard Haykin ]

Perhaps it is True, As So Many Have Surmised, That the Top Lawyers at Sullivan & Cromwell Really Do Walk On Water!

Sullivan & Cromwell, whose downtown Manhattan office had been closed for 2 weeks following Superstorm Sandy, reopened on Monday. 
The firm's office at 125 Broad Street had remained closed as electric engineers and other workers worked to restore power and pump out some 35 feet of water that flooded the building on 10/29/12.  In the interim, lawyers have been working at firm's midtown office.

Many of Sullivan & Cromwell's competitors with Wall Street addresses - that are close to the water's edge - remain closed.  Here's how some downtown law firms are faring: 

• Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, based at One New York Plaza - next door to the South Ferry Terminal - remained closed as of Monday;  its lawyers are work at the firm's midtown offices. 
• Gordon & Rees, a large international law firm with an office in the Financial District, also remained closed.  NY Managing Partner Mercedes Colwin, said the firm was told its offices at 90 Broad should reopen by 11/30 - but she considered the date unrealistic. 
  She added that the building was hit so hard by Sandy that "a homeless person was thrust in our lobby by the surging waters and drowned."

[C-I Note:  This just might be the creditable piece of evidence to reinforce the notion that Sullivan & Cromwell lawyers, in fact, have the above noted extraordinary powers.

Sullivan & Cromwell, as Owner of a Majority Interest in 125 Broad Street.    The law firm, which owns a 60% stake in the building, now will look to reconstruct its 3 sub-levels - which included a health center, equipment storage, auditoriums and a parking garage.  , according to Sullivan & Cromwell Chairman Joseph Shenker.  Those facilities were severely damaged under the 35 feet of water.

[ Reuters, 11'12'12 ]