Brad Karp
Former Chairman of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP (2008 — February 2026)
Document Connections (3)
On the evening of Wednesday, February 4, 2026, Brad Karp abruptly resigned as chairman of Paul, Weiss — the powerhouse law firm he had led since 2008 — after emails between him and Jeffrey Epstein were made public in the released Epstein file set. Karp stated: 'Recent reporting has created a distraction and has placed a focus on me that is not in the best interests of the firm.' Scott Barshay was appointed chairman effective immediately. Karp remains at the firm.
- CNBC — Paul Weiss Chairman Brad Karp resigns after Jeffrey Epstein email disclosures (2026-02-05)
- CNN — Brad Karp resigns as chair of major law firm after Epstein emails become public (2026-02-05)
- Fortune — Karp steps down as Paul Weiss chairman after Epstein emails (2026-02-05)
- PBS NewsHour — Chairman of Paul Weiss resigns after release of emails linking him to Epstein (2026-02-05)
- Bloomberg — Karp Steps Down as Paul Weiss Chairman After Epstein Emails (2026-02-05)
- Wikipedia — List of people named in the Epstein files
Per Paul Weiss's own statement, Karp 'attended two group dinners in New York City and had a small number of social interactions by email' with Epstein, 'all of which he regrets.' Per Bloomberg's reporting on the released emails, one message from Karp asked Epstein for help securing a job for Karp's son on a Woody Allen movie.
Wikipedia's compilation also records that in a 2015 email, Karp thanked Epstein for an 'unforgettable' evening and that Epstein replied Karp would 'often be reinvited.' Separate released emails document Karp exchanging messages with Epstein from approximately 2015-2019, including a February 2019 thread in which Karp and Epstein tried to find legal representation for Robert Kraft and John Havens as they were ensnared in a Florida prostitution crackdown.