It's Business - Paul, Weiss' Communications with Jeffrey Epstein

The late convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein was a phenomenon. He conjured up glam, wealth, power, influence and more. At the time many in his orbit probably felt pleased with themselves to have that access.

But for others it was just business. The guy certainly did get around. Lots of transactional relationships.

That's how we could size up the latest disclosure from the Epstein emails. Law.com reports:

"Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison chairman Brad Karp corresponded with Jeffrey Epstein during a stretch of at least three years, exchanging emails on subjects from Donald Trump to Karp client Leon Black, among other topics, according to a review of the emails released by the U.S. House Overnight Committee."

That's what lawyers with big-name clients do. They do the talking. They attempt negotiations. They fish around for who knows what.  

Black had been a major Paul, Weiss client. So high-profile was that account that on professional anonymous network Reddit Big Law there would be jokes about how important Black was to that law firm. In an interview in 2022 with BusinessInsider Karp made it explicit that Black was no longer a client. That was after the reputational carnage of Black's close relationship with Epstein had probably made him a liability to any professional services firm. Or institution. Recall that Black stepped down from chairing the Museum of Modern Art board.

Specifically the communications cited in the emails dealt with:

Fees Epstein was billing Black for estate and tax planning

A due-for-publication book by Michael Wolff on Donald Trump

A 2015 note from Epstein about an unnamed woman which Karp didn't respond to.

Nothing too juicy there. 

Like Woody Allen, Karp can choose to blow this off. Essentially Allen's attitude is that New York sophisticates understand how networks operate and that Epstein made for interesting company. Karp can shrug and say, "Hey, I'm a lawyer. That's what I do."

But the dynamics of guilt-by-association are tricky. And scary. In my first corporate job - Big Oil - my hated boss was fired. I probably only lasted because a white knight in the next-to-the-top-tier spoke at a meeting about my utility in speechwriting/ghostwriting for the top tier. Even with that it was tough sledding for about four months. 

Force fields of blame can take over like those toxic mists in sci-fi films. 

In my coaching/tarot-readings I guide clients about how to manage themselves during reputational crises. My first words are: This happens all the time ...

Thrown off your game, maybe the first time since you started working? You made all the right moves and then the world moved in another direction.

Intuitive Coaching. Special expertise with transitions, reskilling and aging. Psychic/tarot readings, upon request. Complimentary consultation with Jane Genova (Text 203-468-8579, janegenova374@gmail.com). Yes, test out the chemistry. Zero risk.

 


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