Brad Karp Steps Down as Paul Weiss Chairman Over Epstein Emails

Brad Karp, the longtime chairman of influential Wall Street law firm Paul Weiss, has resigned from his leadership role following the release of emails showing his extensive interactions with the late disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

He has been replaced by partner Scott Barshay, head of the corporate department, who has advised on major deals including Anheuser-Busch InBev's $107 billion takeover of SABMiller and Chevron's $55 billion acquisition of Hess, the firm said on Wednesday.

In a statement, Karp said the “recent reporting has created a distraction and placed a focus on me that is not in the best interests of the firm.” He will remain with Paul Weiss, concentrating on client work. He did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.

Karp came under scrutiny after emails released by the US Department of Justice last Friday revealed his personal and business communications with Epstein, months before the financier was arrested on sex trafficking charges in July 2019. Epstein later died by suicide in his Manhattan jail cell and had previously pleaded guilty in 2008 to charges including soliciting an underage girl.

Paul Weiss previously stated that Karp “regrets” his interactions with Epstein. Karp has not been accused of any wrongdoing.

Background and Career


Karp, who joined Paul Weiss in the early 1980s and became chairman in 2008, attended dinners with Epstein and sought his help securing a job for his son in a Woody Allen film, according to a review of the emails and the firm.

Under his leadership, Paul Weiss grew its annual revenue to more than $2.6 billion in 2024. Karp earned a reputation as a defender of Wall Street while also advocating social justice causes. A Democratic Party fundraiser, he supported Kamala Harris' 2024 presidential campaign. His clients have included major Wall Street banks and the National Football League.

Karp’s 18-year tenure ended quickly after news reports highlighted his links to Epstein. Sources said he had internal support as recently as Monday but chose to step down by Wednesday, allowing Barshay to take over. Karp had brought Barshay to Paul Weiss from rival firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore in 2016.

Karp met Epstein through representing Leon Black, co-founder of Apollo Global Management. A Paul Weiss spokesperson said: “During the course of that representation, Mr Karp never witnessed or participated in any misconduct. He attended two group dinners and a small number of email interactions, all of which he regrets.”

Emails show Karp exchanged messages and met with Epstein over several years. In March 2019, he reviewed a draft court filing concerning a bid to reopen a non-prosecution agreement Epstein had secured a decade earlier.

The firm and Karp also faced criticism for a deal with former President Trump last March, agreeing to provide pro bono legal work for White House-backed causes in exchange for rescinding an executive order targeting Paul Weiss. Karp defended the deal, saying the order threatened the firm’s survival.

Eight other law firms later made similar pro bono pledges, with combined work valued at nearly $1 billion, while rival firms successfully challenged comparable executive orders in court.

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