NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 05: Brad Karp attends the Paley Museum’s 50th Anniversary Celebration on November 05, 2025 at The Paley Museum in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images)
John Lamparski | Getty Images entertainment | Getty Images
Brad Karpchairman of a major corporate law firm Paul Weissresigned on Wednesday after a dispute over emails between him and a notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein published to the public.
“Paul Weiss, a leader for the past 18 years, has been the honor of my professional life,” said Karp. statement. “The recent disclosures have caused concern and drawn attention to me that is not in the best interests of the firm.”
Karp, who was named chairman in 2008, will remain at the firm, where he will “continue to focus full-time on client service,” Paul Weiss said in a statement.
Scott Barshay, who was chairman of Paul Weiss’ corporate division, has been named chairman of the firm, effective immediately, the firm announced.
Karp has worked for Paul Weiss for more than four decades.
His resignation as chairman comes two days after the firm said Mr. Karp had “attended two group dinners in New York and had a small social interaction with Epstein via e-mail, all of which he regrets.”
The emails were among millions of Epstein-related documents released last week Department of Justice.
One email from Karp asked Epstein to help Karp’s son get a job in a Woody Allen film, according to Bloomberg.
In response to the same Bloomberg article, Paul Weiss said, “Paul Weiss was retained by Leon Black, CEO of Apollo, then a longtime client of the firm, to negotiate a fee dispute with Jeffrey Epstein that spanned several years.”
“The firm was hostile to Epstein and was never represented by Paul Weiss or Brad Karp,” the firm said.
Barshai, the firm’s new chairman, said in a statement on Wednesday that Karp had made “great contributions” during his tenure.
“As chairman of the firm, he transformed Paul, Weiss in an unprecedented way to the great benefit of our clients,” said Barshai.
“We thank him for his exceptional dedication and service as Chairman over many years.”
Karp signed a controversial settlement last March to provide $40 million in pro bono legal work for causes supported by the president. Donald Trump. The president, in turn, revoked an earlier order against the firm.