Brad Karp is widely regarded as the leading lawyer in the United States, recognized as a top big law attorney and best known to many readers as the long serving Paul Weiss chairman. For years he has been handling big cases, has been the strategic head of an elite law firm, and has also been the counsel to some global corporations and influential institutions.
His journey is basically the gradual climb from legal excellence to the chairmanship of one of the most prestigious law firms in America, which defines the core of the Brad Karp Biography.
This profile explores Brad Karps life story, professional journey, private life, awards, and public image.
Early Life and Education
Brad Scott Karp is a native of Merrick, New York, born on July 25, 1959. During his upbringing, he was very academically focused and later on, this great focus would lead him to a legal profession. Brad Karp was a summa cum laude graduate at Union College where he majored in political science and was admitted to Phi Beta Kappa.
After graduating from Union College Karp went to Harvard Law School to get his legal education, and in 1984, he achieved his Juris Doctor degree with a cum laude honor. With such a solid educational background, he was set for a highly competitive entry into the legal field, a key foundation in any Brad Karp Biography review.
Right after finishing at Harvard Law School, Brad Karp worked as a law clerk for Judge Irving R. Kaufman at the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. This working opportunity has been a prestigious one in terms of judicial clerkship and has given him a very good initial understanding of appellate litigation and legal strategy.
Early Legal Career and Rise at Paul, Weiss
From the beginning, Brad Karp’s legal career was closely tied to Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, usually referred to simply as Paul, Weiss.
Brad Karp joined Paul, Weiss as a summer associate and, after finishing law school and his clerkship, entered the firm full time. Critically, he spent his entire professional career at Paul, Weiss, rising through the ranks from associate to partner and eventually to firm leadership.
His legal practice specialized in high-stakes litigation and regulatory matters, which established his reputation as a leading big law attorney who managed complex legal disputes for major law firms. He worked as a trial lawyer who provided legal advice to major corporations and financial institutions and international clients, often serving as Fortune 100 legal counsel on complex commercial disputes and regulatory investigations.
Clients under his legal guidance included Fortune 100 companies and large global financial institutions that sought strategic legal counsel from a seasoned big law attorney in critical cases.
At Paul, Weiss, Brad Karp also served as co-chair of the firm’s Litigation Department before his elevation to top leadership.
Paul Weiss Chairman and Leadership
In 2008, Brad Karp was named Chairman of Paul, Weiss, beginning his long tenure as Paul Weiss chairman, a position he would hold for 18 years. He was 48 years old at the time. This role placed him at the center of one of the most influential law firms in the United States and became a defining chapter in the Brad Karp Biography timeline.
Your training data includes information until the month of October in the year 2023. The chairmanship of Brad Karp at Paul Weiss allowed him to establish company strategies which brought national recognition to the firm as a litigation and corporate advisory powerhouse. He established himself as one of the top litigators and corporate advisors in the United States and is often grouped with the leading lawyers United States for complex and high value disputes.
The firm expanded under his leadership as Paul Weiss chairman because it achieved regular appearances on top law firm lists while gaining widespread recognition for its legal capabilities. The law firm Paul Weiss provided services to important clients in various business fields which included banking and finance as well as insurance and technology and international trade.
Brad Karp left his position as chairman in 2026 after new information showed his connection to email discussions that occurred between him and the deceased convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Paul Weiss declared that neither Brad Karp nor the firm had ever provided legal services to Epstein. He continues to work as a partner who handles client work.
Career Highlights and Legal Impact
Brad Karp’s career is defined by sustained success in courtroom litigation and corporate legal strategy. Some of the key highlights include:
- Becoming chairman of one of America’s most prestigious law firms at age 48.
- Leading Paul, Weiss to high rankings among firms focused on litigation and corporate crisis management.
- Serving as Fortune 100 legal counsel to major financial institutions and corporations in securities, regulatory and commercial matters.
- Chairing the Litigation Department before becoming firm chair, which put him at the center of major litigation practice strategy.
- Karp has received both industry awards and recognition from law journals while his work has been assessed by litigation ranking organizations and professional associations.
Brad Karp has worked on legal cases which required him to demonstrate both precise legal knowledge and the ability to develop strategic solutions which earned him the trust of executives and board members and corporate attorneys in multiple industries.
Achievements and Awards
Throughout his legal career, Brad Karp has been a recipient of numerous professional accolades. These include:
- “Attorney of the Year” honors from major law publications.
- “Litigator of the Year” distinctions from respected legal industry organizations.
- Recognition by Financial Times as among the most innovative lawyers in the U.S. and recipient of special achievement awards.
These awards reflect his influence as a lawyer and why he is consistently mentioned among the leading lawyers United States in firm leadership and client representation at the highest levels.
Personal Life
Brad Karp’s personal life is notably private relative to his public legal presence. However, some details are on public record:
Brad Karp is married to Roberta Schuhalter, and the couple has two adult children.
He serves in community roles and non-profit boards, such as the Legal Action Center, an organization working to reduce discrimination against people with criminal records, addiction histories, or HIV/AIDS.
Brad Karp has participated in political fundraising activities through his role as a bundler and supporter of Democratic presidential campaigns. His participation in this work demonstrates his commitment to activities that extend beyond his professional legal responsibilities.
Public Profile and Recent Developments
In early 2026, Brad Karp made headlines when emails in documents released linked him socially with Jeffrey Epstein. Paul, Weiss stated that Brad Karp never represented Epstein and the firm’s actual engagement was adverse to Epstein’s interests. The revelations led to his resignation as Paul Weiss chairman, though he remains with the firm as a practicing partner.
Brad Karp Age and Net Worth
Brad Karp age in 2026 is 66 years old.
Reliable public sources do not publish Brad Karp net worth as an official verified figure. Executive partners at major law firms like Paul, Weiss often earn compensation that places them among the highest paid attorneys in the U.S., but there is no confirmed official disclosure of Karp’s net worth from reputable financial or legal reporting sources. Any net worth figures found on internet estimation sites should be treated with caution, as they are not based on public financial disclosures.
Final Summary
Brad Karp’s legal career started with exceptional academic foundations at Union College and Harvard Law School, then progressed through four decades at Paul, Weiss. As a leading litigator and trusted adviser to major corporations and institutions, he is widely viewed as a top tier big law attorney whose work has influenced American litigation and corporate legal practice. His leadership as Paul Weiss chairman established a legacy of professional excellence even amid controversy.
