Brad Karp, the chairman of prestigious US law firm Paul Weiss, has stepped down after emails released in the latest tranche of Jeffrey Epstein files revealed the lawyer's apparent communications with the late convicted sex offender.
The documents included dozens of email exchanges seemingly between Karp and Epstein, including correspondence that reportedly shows Karp discussing Epstein's pre-existing plea deal on sex trafficking charges.
Appearing in the documents does not imply any wrongdoing, and Paul Weiss has previously said that Karp "never witnessed or participated in any misconduct".
Announcing his resignation in a company statement on Wednesday, Karp said: "Recent reporting has created a distraction and has placed focus on me that is not in the best interests of the firm."
The statement did not mention the Epstein files, and Karp has not commented since. The BBC has contacted Paul Weiss for further comment.
