Paul Weiss Dealmaker Scott Barshay Takes Helm After Firm Turmoil

Scott Barshay has been appointed chairman of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP following a period of intense scrutiny and leadership upheaval at the firm. The move was swift and positions Barshay at the center of efforts to steady the firm’s operations and reputation.

The leadership change followed the public release of Department of Justice documents that prompted Brad Karp to step down as chairman in early February 2026; Karp said the disclosures had become a distraction for the firm. The timing forced the partnership to act quickly to avoid a prolonged governance vacuum.

A former Cravath partner recruited to Paul Weiss in 2016, Barshay built a high-profile mergers and acquisitions practice that brought major corporate clients to the firm, including Chevron, IBM and Qualcomm. He played a leading role in significant transactions such as Qualcomm’s $47 billion bid for NXP, and is widely regarded as one of the firm’s top rainmakers with a substantial book of business.

While the appointment will not directly move markets, it matters for the corporate advisory ecosystem: Paul Weiss’s capacity to execute large M&A mandates and retain senior partners is material to clients seeking stable legal counsel for multibillion-dollar transactions. The firm’s strategic direction under Barshay will influence how quickly clients and recruits regain confidence.

Market observers and legal industry commentators expect Barshay’s results-driven leadership style to prioritize business continuity and partner performance, but warn that repairing internal trust and managing potential departures will be delicate. The near-term outlook hinges on Barshay’s ability to reassure major clients and stem any talent outflows, while maintaining the firm’s competitive position in high-value corporate work.