NEW YORK CITY, New York: The chairman of one of the country's most prestigious law firms has resigned after the release of emails revealing his exchanges with Jeffrey Epstein.

A statement this week from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison (Paul Weiss) did not explicitly mention any connection between their chairman, Brad Karp, and Epstein, whom the firm said it never represented.

However, Karp stated that recent reports about the released emails had focused on him, which was not in the prestigious law firm's best interests. Karp will remain at the firm, where he has practiced for 40 years and has served as chairman since 2008.

Some of the newly released documents included a July 22, 2015, email where Karp thanked Epstein for hosting an evening he called "once in a lifetime" and unforgettable. Epstein replied that Karp was always welcome, that there would be many more special nights, and that he would invite him often.

Later that same day, Epstein said he wanted to introduce Karp to Larry Summers, describing him as funny and warm. Summers is a former U.S. Treasury secretary and former Harvard president who later lost ties with several organizations after earlier Epstein files showed he had a close relationship with Epstein.

In 2016, Karp tried to help his son, who wanted a career in film, and contacted Epstein, hoping to connect him with Woody Allen. Karp's son sent several follow-up messages, but it is unclear whether anything came of them.

In 2018, Karp was invited to dinner with Epstein. Karp said he could arrange a car to take him back to his office for a video call and then return to dinner. Epstein replied that he was easy about the plans, and Karp answered, "I know you are." Their messages continued over the years.

In February 2019, Karp emailed Epstein for advice on John Havens, a former Citigroup president who, according to Karp, needed urgent help before his name became public in a Florida massage-parlor investigation.

Epstein also offered to help find a local lawyer for New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, and Karp said Kraft needed the best lawyer possible. Both Kraft and Havens were among about 300 men accused of visiting massage parlors involved in prostitution.

A month later, Karp appeared to be reviewing a draft court document written by Epstein's lawyers, who argued that Epstein's old plea deal in a federal sex abuse case in Florida should not be reopened.

In a March 3, 2019, email, Karp praised the draft, saying it was compelling and well written. He also said he especially liked the argument claiming that the victims had waited too long to come forward for their own advantage while Epstein was already in pri