There’s a lot of recent talk about Paul, Weiss’s chair Brad Karp — not much of it flattering right now. The Biglaw partner’s relationship with the infamous sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein has been in the news, after the release of the latest tranche of government files related to the late Epstein. We’ve known for a while that Karp — and a lot of rank and file PW attorneys — would appear in the Epstein files. The firm represents Apollo Global Management and its CEO Leon Black, who worked extensively with Epstein. Black and Epstein had a fee dispute, and Paul, Weiss was involved in that negotiation.
But the recent doc drop paints a cozier picture of the relationship between Karp and Epstein than anticipated. The documents show Karp fawning over social engagements with Epstein; asking for favors on behalf of his son; gossiping about Biglaw leadership changes; and editing a defense of Epstein’s plea agreement in a Florida sex abuse and trafficking case. This is something Karp regrets, but perhaps now isn’t the time for Karp to be out in front of a crowd.
According to Bloomberg Law, Karp is no longer appearing at an event today where he was slated to discuss “leadership in uncertain times.”
Karp was a promoted speaker at the Wall Street Journal’s Invest Live two-day conference in West Palm Beach, Florida. He was scheduled to discuss how he’s guiding clients through geopolitical developments, artificial-intelligence transformation, and a rapidly evolving US political landscape, according to the Journal’s original itinerary. The discussion has been replaced with the publication’s reporting and outlook on the Federal Reserve.
It was only a few months ago that Karp was heckled at the New York Bar Foundation gala. That outburst took Karp — and Paul, Weiss — to task for the deal struck with the Trump administration. In the face of an unconstitutional executive order targeting the firm, Paul, Weiss became the first firm to seek out Trump’s seal of approval with a pro bono payola deal, that is, free legal services on behalf of conservative clients or causes in order to avoid Trumpian retribution.
Perhaps that uncomfortable experience taught Karp discretion is the better part of valor and he’ll be keeping a low profile for the time being.
Earlier: Brad Karp’s Fawning Epstein Emails Drags Paul, Weiss Into The Fray
So What Does Brad Karp Think About The Latest Epstein File Revelations?
Jeffrey Epstein: Biglaw Career Counselor?
Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Mastodon @Kathryn1@mastodon.social.
The post Brad Karp Bails On Speaking Event In Wake Of Epstein File Revelations appeared first on Above the Law.
There’s a lot of recent talk about Paul, Weiss’s chair Brad Karp — not much of it flattering right now. The Biglaw partner’s relationship with the infamous sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein has been in the news, after the release of the latest tranche of government files related to the late Epstein. We’ve known for a while that Karp — and a lot of rank and file PW attorneys — would appear in the Epstein files. The firm represents Apollo Global Management and its CEO Leon Black, who worked extensively with Epstein. Black and Epstein had a fee dispute, and Paul, Weiss was involved in that negotiation.
But the recent doc drop paints a cozier picture of the relationship between Karp and Epstein than anticipated. The documents show Karp fawning over social engagements with Epstein; asking for favors on behalf of his son; gossiping about Biglaw leadership changes; and editing a defense of Epstein’s plea agreement in a Florida sex abuse and trafficking case. This is something Karp regrets, but perhaps now isn’t the time for Karp to be out in front of a crowd.
According to Bloomberg Law, Karp is no longer appearing at an event today where he was slated to discuss “leadership in uncertain times.”
Karp was a promoted speaker at the Wall Street Journal’s Invest Live two-day conference in West Palm Beach, Florida. He was scheduled to discuss how he’s guiding clients through geopolitical developments, artificial-intelligence transformation, and a rapidly evolving US political landscape, according to the Journal’s original itinerary. The discussion has been replaced with the publication’s reporting and outlook on the Federal Reserve.
It was only a few months ago that Karp was heckled at the New York Bar Foundation gala. That outburst took Karp — and Paul, Weiss — to task for the deal struck with the Trump administration. In the face of an unconstitutional executive order targeting the firm, Paul, Weiss became the first firm to seek out Trump’s seal of approval with a pro bono payola deal, that is, free legal services on behalf of conservative clients or causes in order to avoid Trumpian retribution.
Perhaps that uncomfortable experience taught Karp discretion is the better part of valor and he’ll be keeping a low profile for the time being.
Earlier: Brad Karp’s Fawning Epstein Emails Drags Paul, Weiss Into The Fray
So What Does Brad Karp Think About The Latest Epstein File Revelations?
Jeffrey Epstein: Biglaw Career Counselor?
Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Mastodon @Kathryn1@mastodon.social.
The post Brad Karp Bails On Speaking Event In Wake Of Epstein File Revelations appeared first on Above the Law.
