Goldman Sachs Top Lawyer Faces Scrutiny Over Revealed Correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein
New York, Tuesday, 3 February 2026.
Documents reveal Goldman’s top lawyer referred to the financier as “Uncle Jeffrey” and solicited his career help, raising serious questions about executive vetting at the Wall Street giant.
Unveiling the Depth of the Relationship
On January 30 and 31, 2026, the Department of Justice released approximately 3 million pages of previously undisclosed documents regarding the investigations into Jeffrey Epstein [3][5]. These records have cast a spotlight on the historical connections between the late financier and Kathryn Ruemmler, the current General Counsel for Goldman Sachs (GS) [8]. While Ruemmler served as White House Counsel to President Barack Obama from 2011 to 2014, the newly released correspondence indicates she maintained frequent email contact with Epstein between 2014 and 2018 [8]. In one exchange from December 2015, Ruemmler referred to him as “wonderful Jeffrey” and wrote “I adore him,” reportedly after Epstein booked a first-class trip to Europe for her [8]. Additionally, it was revealed that a January 2019 version of Epstein’s will listed Ruemmler as a backup executor [8].
Career Maneuvering and Legal Elite Connections
The documents suggest Epstein acted as a sounding board and conduit for Ruemmler’s career aspirations in the private sector. In November 2015, Ruemmler forwarded Epstein an email exchange regarding a potential position at the law firm Hogan Lovells, telling him that her messages represented the “state of play” of her negotiations [3]. Epstein subsequently shared details with Brad Karp, chairman of Paul Weiss, noting that Hogan Lovells’ CEO intended to build a department around her [3]. Furthermore, reports indicate that Ruemmler sought Epstein’s assistance to secure a high-level role at Facebook months prior to his arrest, while also advising him on media strategies regarding coverage of his crimes [6].
Corporate Fallout and Industry Response
These revelations pose complex reputational challenges for Goldman Sachs, where Ruemmler has served as Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel since 2021, having originally joined as a Partner in 2020 [8]. While Ruemmler stated in April 2023 that she “regrets ever knowing Jeffrey Epstein,” the specific nature of the solicited advice and gifts detailed in the 2026 document release adds weight to scrutiny regarding executive vetting [8]. The fallout has also touched other prominent figures; following the release of the documents, Paul Weiss issued a statement on February 2, 2026, in which Brad Karp expressed regret for his social interactions and dinners with Epstein [5].