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Brad Karp, chairman of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, one of America’s most prestigious law firms, has resigned from his leadership position following revelations about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Karp, who had served as chairman since 2008, will remain at the firm where he has practiced for four decades.
In a statement released Wednesday, Karp acknowledged that “recent reporting has created a distraction and has placed a focus on me that is not in the best interests” of the firm. While the statement did not explicitly mention Epstein, the resignation comes amid growing scrutiny of individuals associated with the late financier.
The Department of Justice recently released a significant batch of documents from its Epstein investigation, complying with new legislation aimed at revealing what authorities knew about Epstein’s sexual abuse of young girls and his connections to influential figures. These documents included emails between Karp and Epstein that have raised questions about their relationship.
One email from July 2015 shows Karp thanking Epstein for hosting what he described as a “once in a lifetime” evening that he would “never forget.” Epstein responded that Karp was “always welcome,” adding that “there are many many nights of unique talents. you will be invited often.” Paul Weiss has maintained that it never represented Epstein as a client.
The correspondence reveals ongoing communications between the two men over several years. In 2016, Karp reached out to Epstein seeking to connect his son, who had film industry aspirations, with director Woody Allen. By 2018, Karp was still engaging with Epstein, accepting dinner invitations.
More troubling are emails from 2019 showing Karp apparently reviewing a draft court filing for Epstein’s legal team. “The draft motion is in great shape. It’s overwhelmingly persuasive. Truly,” Karp wrote to Epstein that March. “I particularly liked the argument that the ‘victims’ lied in wait and sat on their rights for their strategic advantage, knowing you were in prison, before they came forward.”
Epstein’s influence has continued to reverberate through elite circles worldwide. Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify before a House committee investigating Epstein after Republicans threatened contempt of Congress charges. In Europe, a top Slovak official resigned after his interactions with Epstein came to light, while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer apologized for appointing an ambassador to Washington with ties to Epstein.
The emails also revealed Karp’s attempts to use Epstein as a conduit to other prominent figures. In one exchange, Epstein offered to connect Karp with former Treasury Secretary and Harvard University President Larry Summers, who himself has faced significant backlash for his relationship with Epstein.
In February 2019, Karp sought Epstein’s advice regarding John Havens, the former Citigroup president who was implicated in a Florida massage parlor investigation. Epstein also offered assistance in finding legal representation for New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft in the same matter, with Karp suggesting Kraft needed “the best there is.”
Paul Weiss, founded in 1875, has evolved from its New York origins into a global legal powerhouse with a storied history of civil rights advocacy and corporate representation. The firm recently faced challenges during the Trump administration when the former president issued an executive order threatening to suspend security clearances for its attorneys and terminate federal contracts with the firm. This action was reportedly motivated by a former Paul Weiss attorney’s involvement in a Manhattan district attorney investigation into Trump’s finances.
Initially, Karp planned to fight the order, stating that the firm “would not be able to survive a protracted dispute with the Administration.” However, he later negotiated a deal with Trump to protect the firm—a decision criticized by many in the legal community, including over 140 Paul Weiss alumni who signed a letter condemning the move.
Karp’s departure marks one of the most significant professional casualties in the ongoing Epstein fallout, which continues to expose networks of power and influence connected to the disgraced financier years after his death.
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7 Comments
I’m curious to know more about the nature of Karp’s relationship with Epstein. Were there any red flags that the firm should have picked up on earlier? This resignation raises a lot of questions about the firm’s vetting processes and internal controls.
Agreed, the firm needs to be proactive in investigating this matter and being transparent with their findings. Maintaining public trust is vital, especially for a firm that advises on sensitive matters in the mining and commodities space.
This story highlights the importance of accountability for those in positions of power. Karp’s connection to Epstein, even through something as seemingly innocuous as an email, raises red flags that the firm needs to investigate thoroughly. Transparency will be key to restoring confidence.
I agree, these kinds of associations can be hugely damaging to a firm’s reputation. It’s good to see Karp taking responsibility by stepping down, but the firm will need to do a full review to ensure there are no other skeletons in the closet.
While Karp’s resignation is a step in the right direction, this situation highlights the need for greater scrutiny of connections between high-profile individuals and those accused of serious crimes. Firms in the mining and energy sectors should take note and ensure their own houses are in order.
The news of the Paul Weiss chairman’s resignation is certainly concerning. It’s critical that law firms and their leaders maintain the highest standards of ethics and professionalism, especially when dealing with individuals like Epstein. I hope the firm can move forward transparently and regain the trust of the public.
The mining and commodities sectors have seen their fair share of scandals over the years, so it’s concerning to see this issue arise at a prominent law firm like Paul Weiss. Maintaining strong corporate governance is crucial, especially for firms advising on high-stakes deals in these industries.