Paul Weiss chair Brad Karp has resigned as chair of the firm after his longstanding connections to Jeffrey Epstein were revealed in documents released by the US Department of Justice.
Karp, who has led the firm for 18 years, has faced intense scrutiny in recent days after his communications with the late sex offender were made public in the Epstein files.
He will be replaced as chair by corporate heavyweight Scott Barshay, who has been at the firm since 2016, when he joined as global head of M&A from Cravath Swaine & Moore.
In a statement, Karp said: ‘Leading Paul Weiss for the past 18 years has been the honour of my professional life. Recent reporting has created a distraction and has placed a focus on me that is not in the best interests of the firm.’
In the statement announcing the change in leadership, the firm said that Karp ‘will continue to focus his full-time attention to client service at the firm’.
Barshay said: ‘I step into this role with great confidence in Paul Weiss’ continued success. Our strength lies in the talent and dedication of our people and trusted client relationships. Clients come to Paul Weiss because we deliver excellence, and our firm is unified in our commitment to continuing to provide the highest standards of client service.’
On Karp, he added: ‘Brad has made immense contributions to Paul Weiss over his more than four decades with the firm. As chairman of the firm, he transformed Paul Weiss in an unprecedented way to the great benefit of our clients. We are grateful to him for his extraordinary dedication and service over his many years as chairman.”
The Epstein files have uncovered private emails and messages between the convicted sex offender, who died in 2019, and dozens of high profile politicians, business leaders and celebrities.
In one email chain from 2015, Karp describes Epstein as ‘amazing’ after thanking him for an ‘evening I’ll never forget.’
In an earlier statement, the firm said that Karp met Epstein through his representation of Leon Black, the former chairman and CEO of Apollo Global Management, ‘a significant firm client.’
‘During the course of that representation, which spanned several years, Karp never witnessed or participated in any misconduct. Karp attended two group dinners in New York City and had a small number of social interactions by email, all of which he regrets,’ the statement added.
Documents are being periodically released by the DOJ following the passing of the Epstein Files Transparency Act at the end of last year.
Karp has worked at Paul Weiss since he graduated Harvard Law School in 1983, practising in its litigation team. He served as chair of Paul Weiss’ litigation department until 2008, when he was elected as chairman.
At the beginning of last year, Karp was embroiled in controversy as he led Paul Weiss into negotiations with President Trump after executive orders to terminate federal contracts with the firm were announced.
Paul Weiss became the first firm to negotiate a deal with Trump to lift the order, and agreed to provide $40m pro bono support to the administration. Skadden and Willkie also signed similar deals.
After the deal was announced Karp defended his actions in a message to colleagues, where he described the executive orders as an ‘existential crisis.’
