Brad Karp, who had served for nearly two decades as chairman of Paul Weiss — one of the most prominent corporate law firms in the United States — abruptly stepped down on Wednesday night after a series of private emails between him and the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein came to light.

In its announcement of Karp’s resignation, the firm did not specify a reason for his departure from the leadership role. The statement only cited Karp saying that recent media coverage had become a distraction and shifted attention toward him in a way that was not beneficial for the firm.

Over the past several weeks, a growing number of business leaders, academics, and public figures have faced scrutiny over their past communications with Epstein, despite his conviction in 2008 for soliciting a minor and his subsequent registration as a sex offender.

Paul Weiss, which employs more than 1,200 attorneys, represents major corporations including Amazon, Exxon Mobil, and the National Football League. The firm is also known for its extensive pro bono work, particularly in supporting low-income individuals and immigrant communities.

Karp’s resignation marks the end of a challenging period for one of Wall Street’s most influential legal figures.

Last year, he came under intense criticism after Paul Weiss reached an agreement with the Trump administration to avoid potential restrictions that could have limited the firm’s ability to represent clients before federal agencies. Many within the legal community viewed the decision as overly conciliatory toward the White House, and several senior partners ultimately left the firm. At the time, however, Karp appeared to maintain his position.

The situation worsened over the weekend when the U.S. Department of Justice released emails showing that Karp had visited Epstein’s New York residence and maintained correspondence with him.

Karp’s connection to Epstein largely stemmed from his legal work for billionaire Leon Black, co-founder of Apollo Global Management. Black had previously paid Epstein nearly $170 million for financial and estate planning services, a relationship that had long drawn controversy.

The newly revealed emails showed that Karp had not only attended social events with Epstein but had also once sought his assistance in helping his son secure a role on a Woody Allen film. After attending a dinner at Epstein’s Manhattan mansion in 2015, Karp sent an email expressing gratitude for what he described as an unforgettable evening and praising Epstein as a remarkable host.

According to one Paul Weiss attorney who spoke anonymously, many lawyers within the firm were privately upset and embarrassed by the revelations. Others were particularly concerned after learning that Epstein had once suggested that Leon Black hire a private investigator to monitor a former partner.

On Monday, Karp issued a public statement expressing regret over his past interactions with Epstein, saying he had attended two group dinners and exchanged a limited number of emails, all of which he now regretted.

Although stepping down as chairman, Karp will remain at Paul Weiss as a practicing attorney. A spokesperson for Leon Black declined to comment.

In the firm’s official statement, Karp said that leading Paul Weiss for 18 years had been the greatest honor of his professional life.

Scott Barshay, head of the firm’s corporate practice, has been appointed as the new chairman. Paul Weiss noted that Barshay has more than 30 years of experience advising corporate boards and management teams on complex legal matters. He joined the firm in 2016 after leaving Cravath, another elite law firm.

Barshay’s promotion reflects a broader shift at Paul Weiss from a firm historically known for litigation toward one that increasingly prioritizes corporate deal-making and advisory work.

During the earlier dispute with the Trump administration, Karp argued that proposed restrictions would have severely hindered the firm’s ability to represent clients effectively. However, many litigators within Paul Weiss strongly disagreed and believed the firm should have challenged the executive order in court. Their criticism intensified when other law firms that pursued legal action successfully overturned the restrictions.

Despite the controversy, Paul Weiss stated that Karp would continue to serve clients full-time in his legal capacity moving forward.