Goldman Sachs’ top lawyer, Kathryn Ruemmler, is leaving the investment bank at the conclude of June, following the release of emails revealing a close relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The resignation, announced Thursday night, marks a reversal from Ruemmler’s initial stance that she would remain in the role she has held since 2020.
The emails, part of a recent release of Epstein files, detailed “chummy conversations” between Ruemmler and Epstein, according to CNBC. Ruemmler, a former White House counsel to President Barack Obama, had referred to Epstein as “Uncle Jeffrey” in some correspondence. She acknowledged the media attention surrounding her prior work as a defense attorney had grow a distraction for the firm.
“I made the determination that the media attention on me, relating to my prior work as a defence attorney, was becoming a distraction,” Ruemmler told the Financial Times. Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon described Ruemmler as a “tremendous human being” and stated she proactively initiated the conversation about her departure. “She called me yesterday afternoon and told me that… the press coverage of the work that she had done previously and of this whole situation had just gotten to a level of noise and distraction that she thought was distracting the firm,” Solomon said in an interview with CNBC’s “Squawk Box.”
A Goldman Sachs spokesperson previously stated that Ruemmler “regrets ever knowing him,” referring to Epstein. Despite this statement, the released emails prompted scrutiny and ultimately led to Ruemmler’s decision to step down. The timing of her departure coincides with increasing public and regulatory pressure related to the Epstein files and the connections of prominent individuals to the convicted sex offender.
Ruemmler’s resignation follows that of Brad Karp, who recently stepped down as chair of the law firm Paul, Weiss, also due to revelations in the Epstein files. The departures highlight the growing repercussions for those with past associations with Epstein as more details emerge from the ongoing legal proceedings and document releases.
Solomon praised Ruemmler’s contributions to Goldman Sachs, stating she had provided “sound advice on a wide range of consequential legal matters.” The firm has not yet announced a replacement for Ruemmler as general counsel and chief legal officer.
