What's happened
On February 5, 2026, Brad Karp resigned as chairman of Paul Weiss, a leading Wall Street law firm, following revelations from newly released Department of Justice documents detailing his extensive personal and professional interactions with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The documents revealed Karp attended Epstein dinners, exchanged emails about legal matters, and sought Epstein's help for his son's film career. Apollo co-founder Leon Black's ties to Epstein also came under scrutiny.
What's behind the headline?
Epstein's Network and Legal Fallout
The resignation of Brad Karp as chairman of Paul Weiss underscores the deep entanglement of elite legal and financial circles with Jeffrey Epstein. Despite Paul Weiss's assertion that it never represented Epstein, Karp's personal and professional interactions with him reveal a blurred line between client representation and social association.
The Role of Legal Firms in Shielding Power
Karp's involvement in reviewing legal filings to protect Epstein's plea deal and coordinating surveillance efforts against a woman alleging extortion highlights how legal expertise was leveraged to manage Epstein's legal risks. This raises questions about the ethical boundaries law firms navigate when representing controversial clients.
Political and Corporate Implications
Karp's leadership was already under pressure after Paul Weiss's controversial pro bono deal with the Trump administration to avoid an executive order targeting the firm. The Epstein revelations compound reputational risks for the firm and its clients, including Apollo Global Management, whose co-founder Leon Black paid Epstein millions.
Broader Impact and Future Consequences
The DOJ's release of Epstein files continues to expose high-profile figures, prompting resignations and investigations globally. For Paul Weiss, the leadership change to Scott Barshay signals a strategic shift towards corporate M&A focus, potentially distancing the firm from litigation and reputational controversies.
What This Means for Investors and the Public
Investors in Apollo and clients of Paul Weiss face increased scrutiny over governance and ethical standards. The revelations emphasize the need for transparency and accountability in corporate and legal sectors, with potential regulatory and reputational consequences ahead.
What the papers say
The New York Times' Andrew Ross Sorkin detailed Karp's resignation and the firm's leadership shift, noting Karp's social dinners with Epstein and efforts to secure film roles for his son. Business Insider UK highlighted the American Federation of Teachers' letter accusing Apollo of misleading investors about its Epstein exposure, citing communications between Apollo co-founders and Epstein. The Independent and AP News contextualized Karp's resignation amid the DOJ's largest release of Epstein investigative files, noting the broader fallout involving political figures like Bill Clinton and Donald Trump. The NY Post and Financial Times revealed emails showing Karp's involvement in legal strategies to protect Epstein's plea deal and his attempts to join exclusive clubs through Epstein's connections. All Africa reported on Epstein's global social network, including proposed dinners with prominent Nigerian figures, illustrating the international scope of Epstein's influence. Together, these sources paint a comprehensive picture of how Epstein's network infiltrated legal, corporate, and political spheres, with Paul Weiss and Apollo at the center of recent revelations.
How we got here
Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, maintained extensive connections with powerful figures. The US Department of Justice released millions of pages of investigative files under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, exposing Epstein's interactions with business leaders, politicians, and lawyers. Paul Weiss, representing Apollo Global Management and its co-founder Leon Black, became embroiled in controversy due to Karp's ties to Epstein, culminating in Karp's resignation as chairman.
Go deeper
- What were the key revelations in the DOJ Epstein files about Paul Weiss?
- How did Brad Karp's relationship with Epstein affect Apollo Global Management?
- What changes are expected at Paul Weiss after Karp's resignation?
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Jeffrey Edward Epstein was an American financier and convicted sex offender. He began his professional life as a teacher but then switched to the banking and finance sector in various roles, working at Bear Stearns before forming his own firm.
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