Brad Karp Quits as Paul Weiss Chair after Epstein Emails Surface — he’ll Stay at the Firm

CNN, CNBC, the Guardian, Bloomberg, and the Financial Times contributed to this report.

Brad Karp abruptly stepped down as chairman of powerhouse law firm Paul, Weiss on Wednesday after newly released Jeffrey Epstein documents showed email exchanges between the longtime leader and the convicted sex offender — though Karp will remain at the firm as a partner.

“Leading Paul, Weiss for the past 18 years has been the honor of my professional life,” Karp said in a statement Wednesday evening. “Recent reporting has created a distraction and has placed a focus on me that is not in the best interests of the firm.”

Paul Weiss said Karp will “continue to focus his full-time attention to client service” and tapped Scott Barshay — previously chair of the firm’s corporate department — to take over as chairman effective immediately.

The Department of Justice dump of Epstein-related documents last week included emails showing Karp and Epstein exchanged messages as recently as 2019. In one exchange from July 22, 2015, Karp gushed to Epstein after a dinner he called “once in a lifetime,” writing that Epstein was “an extraordinary host” and that he hoped “to be invited again.” Epstein replied that Karp would be “invited often.”

Other emails reviewed by reporters show Karp asking Epstein in June 2016 if he could try to help get Karp’s son a job on an upcoming Woody Allen film. The Wall Street Journal first reported Karp’s resignation.

Paul Weiss has pushed back, saying Karp “never witnessed or participated in any misconduct.” The firm previously described Karp’s interactions with Epstein as limited to two group dinners in New York and a small number of email exchanges, all of which he “regrets.” The firm added it had been retained by Leon Black — not Epstein — in fee disputes that involved Epstein.

Karp has led the firm since 2008 and has been with Paul Weiss for more than four decades. Under his watch the firm’s annual revenues grew substantially; the firm pointed to his “immense contributions” and said Barshay would carry on that work.

The timing of the resignation adds to recent controversy surrounding Paul Weiss. Last March, Karp signed off on a deal that pledged roughly $40 million in pro bono legal work for causes backed by President Donald Trump — a move that led Trump to rescind an executive order that had targeted the firm over its diversity efforts. Karp defended that agreement as necessary after the White House action threatened the firm’s federal contracting and government access.

Firm spokespeople stressed Paul Weiss never represented Epstein and said the firm had been adverse to him. Still, the newly surfaced emails and the high-profile nature of Karp’s role made his position as chair untenable in the firm’s view — even as they keep him on in a client-facing capacity.