The chief legal officer and general counsel of Goldman Sachs, Kathy Ruemmler, announced her resignation Thursday after disclosures that she maintained a close relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein sparked intense scrutiny. Her resignation, effective June 30, 2026, marks a major leadership change at one of Wall Street’s most powerful firms.
Ruemmler, a prominent attorney who previously served as White House counsel under President Barack Obama, had sought to distance herself from Epstein in recent statements. But recently released U.S. Department of Justice documents showed extensive communications with Epstein between 2014 and 2019 including emails in which she referred to him as “Uncle Jeffrey” and accepted luxury items from him.
According to regulators’ files, Epstein gave Ruemmler expensive gifts such as high-end handbags and other items after his 2008 conviction on a sex crime charge. Emails also suggested she advised him on how to respond to media inquiries.
Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon acknowledged her decision to step down in a company statement, praising Ruemmler’s contributions and mentorship during her tenure. Solomon said he “respects her decision” and lauded her as “an extraordinary general counsel.”
In a statement confirming her resignation, Ruemmler said the ongoing media attention related to her past professional ties had become a “distraction,” and emphasized her obligation to act in the firm’s best interests. She reiterated her regret about the association and stressed that her interactions with Epstein occurred in the context of her legal work.
The controversy is the latest in a broader reckoning triggered by newly disclosed Epstein files, which have ensnared several high-profile lawyers and executives in public debates over ethics, judgment and professional conduct.
Ruemmler joined Goldman Sachs in 2020 and has been one of the firm’s most senior executives. Her departure underscores the reputational risks institutions face when senior leaders’ past associations with controversial figures surface even when those ties predate their current roles.