Brad Karp stepped down as chairman of Big Law firm Paul Weiss on Wednesday amid scrutiny over his ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Scott Barshay was named the new chairman of the global firm, which has more than 1,000 attorneys, "effective immediately," the firm said in a news release.
"Leading Paul, Weiss for the past 18 years has been the honor of my professional life," Karp was quoted as saying in the release. "Recent reporting has created a distraction and has placed a focus on me that is not in the best interests of the firm."
Karp is among the elite names to appear in 3 million documents released by the Justice Department last week from its investigation into Epstein, who killed himself in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.
The latest documents showed that in 2019, Karp reviewed a court filing Epstein was preparing to oppose efforts to reopen his 2008 plea deal with Florida state prosecutors on sex crime charges.
"The draft motion is in great shape. It's overwhelmingly persuasive. Truly," Karp wrote in an email. "I particularly liked the argument that the 'victims' lied in wait and sat on their rights for their strategic advantage, knowing you were in prison, before they came forward."
At the time, Epstein was in prison, awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. He killed himself in his cell months later.
The new tranche of files also detailed Karp's email correspondence with Epstein on other matters, from coordinating dinners to discussing legal representation for New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. In other messages, Karp served as an intermediary in matters involving Epstein and former Apollo CEO Leon Black. At one point, Karp also asked Epstein to help his son land a role in a Woody Allen movie.
In a 2015 email, Karp wrote: "I can't thank you enough for including me in an evening I'll never forget. It was truly 'once in a lifetime' in every way, though I hope to be invited again. You are an extraordinary host -- and your home....!!! Thanks, again. See you soon."
Epstein responded, "you are always welcome. . there are many many nights of unique talents. you will be invited often." And Karp closed the conversation with, "You're amazing....and thank you!"
The Epstein Files haven't been the only source of controversy for Karp. Last year, he came under fire from some for striking an agreement with President Donald Trump under which Paul Weiss pledged $40 million in pro bono legal work in exchange for the president rescinding an executive order targeting the firm.
In a statement two days before Karp relinquished the chairmanship, Paul Weiss said in a statement, as reported by Reuters, that he met Epstein through Black.
"During the course of that representation, which spanned several years, Mr. Karp never witnessed or participated in any misconduct," the statement said.
"Mr. Karp attended two group dinners in New York City and had a small number of social interactions by email, all of which he regrets."
Karp has been at Paul Weiss for four decades and has been chair of the firm since 2008. Throughout his career, he represented high-profile corporate clients such as Citigroup, JPMorgan, and Bank of America.
"Mr. Karp will continue to focus his full-time attention to client service at the firm," Paul Weiss said in a press release.
