Chairman of major US law firm steps down after Epstein files release

February 5, 2026

Brad Karp has resigned as chairman of the prominent law firm Paul Weiss following the release of Department of Justice documents showing email communications between him and Jeffrey Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender. The correspondence appears to include discussions about Epstein's 2008 plea deal and a request for help securing Karp's son a film production job. While Paul Weiss maintains that Karp never represented Epstein or witnessed any misconduct, Karp stated his resignation was necessary because the media attention created an unwanted distraction for the firm.

Who is affected

Brad Karp (resigned chairman of Paul Weiss)
Paul Weiss law firm and its employees
Scott Barshay (newly appointed chairman)
Karp's son (mentioned in relation to job request)
Paul Weiss clients

What action is being taken

Brad Karp is stepping down from his position as chairman
Scott Barshay is being appointed as the new chairman
Karp is continuing to work at the firm focusing on client service

Why it matters

This resignation is significant because it demonstrates how associations with Jeffrey Epstein continue to have professional consequences for prominent figures, even when no wrongdoing is alleged. The departure of a long-standing chairman (since 2008) from a prestigious law firm due to reputational concerns highlights the lasting impact of the Epstein scandal on elite professional circles. It also underscores how public perception and media scrutiny can force leadership changes at major institutions, regardless of legal culpability.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC