Paul Weiss boss Brad Karp steps down over Epstein emails

Paul Weiss chair Brad Karp has stepped down from his role as firm leader following scrutiny over his past communications with Jeffrey Epstein.

In a statement, Karp said: “Leading Paul, Weiss for the past 18 years has been the honor 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.” He will remain at the firm.

Star M&A partner Scott Barshay will take over as chair. Barshay said he was stepping into the role “with great confidence in Paul, Weiss’ continued success”, adding that the firm remained unified around client service.

Epstein emails

The move follows the release last weekend of a new tranche of Epstein-related files, which included emails between Karp and Epstein.

The correspondence included messages in which Karp asked Epstein whether he could help facilitate a work placement for his son in the film industry, as well as emails in which Karp thanked Epstein for what he described as a “once in a lifetime” evening. Epstein replied: “You are always welcome… you will be i=vited [invited] often.”

Paul Weiss has previously said that Karp’s communications with Epstein related to a fee dispute between Leon Black, founder and former chief executive of private equity firm Apollo and a long-standing Paul Weiss client.

Karp said Black retained the firm to negotiate that dispute and that Paul Weiss was “adverse to Epstein” in the matter. Earlier this week, the firm said Karp “regrets” his interactions with Epstein.

Karp was appointed chair in 2008. During his tenure, the firm’s revenue grew to $2.6 billion last year, and Paul Weiss became one of the world’s most profitable law firms.