• Brad Karp has resigned from his position as chairman of Paul Weiss law firm.
• His resignation follows the release of emails revealing communications with Jeffrey Epstein.
• Karp expressed that recent reporting has created a distraction not in the firm’s best interests.
• Scott Barshay has been appointed as the new chairman of Paul Weiss.
• The firm emphasizes that Karp has never witnessed or participated in any misconduct.

Brad Karp, the chairman of the prestigious Paul Weiss law firm, has resigned following the release of emails that highlighted his interactions with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The firm appointed Scott Barshay as his successor after Karp announced his decision in a statement that did not mention Epstein directly. Karp stated, “Recent reporting has created a distraction and has placed focus on me that is not in the best interests of the firm,” according to Reuters, BBC, and Los Angeles Times.

The release of emails by the Department of Justice has raised significant questions regarding Karp's conduct. The communications indicate Karp sought Epstein's assistance for various matters, including helping his son secure a job with a Woody Allen film production. Despite not directly implicating Karp in misconduct, the firm has noted that he “never witnessed or participated in any misconduct,” which has been a point of contention since the emails came to light, according to Reuters and Los Angeles Times.

The email exchanges included discussions on Epstein's prior legal arrangements and sought advice on various legal matters involving clients of Karp, illustrating the complex nature of his relationship with Epstein while he was aware of Epstein's controversial past. This has led to heightened scrutiny of Karp's dealings, as the emails were released in the context of a larger investigation into Epstein's activities, as reported by BBC and Los Angeles Times.

While Karp has resigned, he will remain at Paul Weiss, where he has worked for over 40 years and served as chairman since 2008. Scott Barshay emphasized the firm’s commitment to maintaining its legacy, stating he steps into this role with “great confidence in Paul Weiss' continued success.” This transition occurs at a tumultuous time for Paul Weiss, which has seen Karp navigate significant challenges, including political pressures from high-profile figures like former President Trump, as mentioned in Reuters and Los Angeles Times.