Kathy Ruemmler, Goldman Sachs’ chief legal officer, announced Thursday that she will resign from her position at the global investment bank effective June 30, 2026.
The decision comes amid scrutiny over her past professional interactions with Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier convicted of sex crimes, following the Justice Department’s release of millions of pages of court documents related to Epstein’s activities.
Ruemmler, who joined Goldman Sachs in 2020 after serving as White House counsel during President Barack Obama’s administration, said in a statement that her primary obligation has always been to protect the interests of the bank.
“Since I joined Goldman Sachs six years ago, it has been my privilege to help oversee the firm’s legal, reputational, and regulatory matters; to enhance our strong risk management processes; and to ensure that we live by our core value of integrity in everything we do,” she said. She added that she had informed CEO David Solomon of her decision to step down earlier on Thursday.
The announcement arrives after weeks of media coverage examining Ruemmler’s reported connections to Epstein.
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Sources familiar with her work and those close to her have maintained that her interactions with Epstein were strictly professional. The release of Epstein-related documents by federal authorities, which include deposition transcripts, emails, and other legal records, has prompted renewed attention on figures who had business or advisory relationships with the financier.
David Solomon, Goldman Sachs’ chief executive, acknowledged Ruemmler’s resignation in a statement to CNN, describing her as “an extraordinary general counsel” who provided “sound advice on a wide range of consequential legal matters for the firm.” Solomon highlighted her role as a mentor and friend to colleagues, saying she would be missed and that he respected her decision to leave.
Ruemmler’s tenure at Goldman Sachs spanned a period of heightened regulatory scrutiny and complex litigation for the bank.
During her six years, she oversaw legal and compliance strategies across multiple jurisdictions, navigating both domestic and international regulatory frameworks.
The chief legal officer is responsible for advising the board and senior management on corporate governance, risk mitigation, and high-profile legal disputes, as well as ensuring adherence to federal securities laws and global financial regulations.
Before joining Goldman Sachs, Ruemmler held several prominent legal positions, including her role as White House counsel from 2011 to 2014, where she advised the president on constitutional, legislative, and judicial matters. She also served as a partner at leading law firms and held senior positions in the U.S. Department of Justice, establishing her reputation as a highly experienced legal strategist in corporate and governmental settings.
Epstein, who died in 2019 while in federal custody awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, had previously cultivated relationships with prominent business and political figures.
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The release of the Justice Department files, which followed a years-long legal process, has provided extensive documentation of Epstein’s interactions with various individuals, leading to renewed public and media interest in those associations.
While Ruemmler has consistently described her engagement with Epstein as professional, her resignation underscores the reputational challenges faced by senior executives at major financial institutions when linked—even indirectly—to high-profile scandals.
Legal analysts note that chief legal officers often occupy roles in which both actual conduct and perceived integrity can have significant consequences for corporate governance and public trust.
The departure of Ruemmler leaves Goldman Sachs searching for a successor to manage the firm’s legal affairs at a time when Wall Street banks face intensified scrutiny from regulators and lawmakers. The firm has been involved in a range of ongoing investigations and litigation, including matters related to market conduct, investment banking practices, and global compliance standards. Her exit is likely to trigger a transition period as the bank identifies and vets a replacement with experience in navigating the complex intersections of finance, law, and regulation.
Industry observers say Ruemmler’s resignation may also influence broader conversations about executive accountability and reputational management in the financial sector.
Senior legal officers at multinational firms often operate under significant public and regulatory visibility, and departures under circumstances linked to external controversies can have ripple effects across corporate governance structures.
Goldman Sachs has not announced an immediate replacement for Ruemmler. In the interim, her responsibilities will likely be delegated among existing senior legal staff, according to internal sources.
The bank has previously maintained that its legal and compliance functions remain robust and fully capable of handling ongoing matters during leadership transitions.
As of Thursday, Ruemmler had not commented further on the timing of her departure or future plans.
The bank will continue to monitor developments related to the Epstein documents and any potential legal or regulatory implications arising from the disclosures. Goldman Sachs’ board and executive team are expected to provide formal updates regarding the search for a new chief legal officer in the coming months.
Her resignation marks the end of a six-year tenure at one of the world’s largest investment banks and highlights the persistent scrutiny faced by corporate leaders connected, even peripherally, to figures involved in criminal investigations.
