Who is Kathryn Ruemmler in the Epstein files?

Kathryn Ruemmler is a prominent American attorney who served as White House Counsel under President Obama (2011-2014) and later became General Counsel of Goldman Sachs. In the Epstein files, she appears as a close personal associate and apparent legal advisor to Jeffrey Epstein. The documents show extensive direct email correspondence between them from 2015 to 2019, her inclusion in privileged attorney-client communications with Epstein's defense team, and narrative accounts describing her social visits and professional relationship with Epstein. She met Epstein in 2014 after leaving the White House and maintained the relationship even after his 2008 sex crime conviction.

Was Kathryn Ruemmler one of Epstein's lawyers?

Ruemmler has publicly denied ever representing Epstein as an attorney. However, the documents tell a more nuanced story: she was included in emails explicitly marked 'ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE' alongside Epstein's known defense lawyers Martin Weinberg, Darren Indyke, and Jack Goldberger. She was also forwarded articles about Epstein's prosecution and appeared to provide legal and reputational advice. A draft narrative states she 'withdrew from consideration' for U.S. Attorney General 'in part to work with Epstein.' Reports indicate Epstein referred the Bank Edmond de Rothschild to her as a client at Latham & Watkins, representing a professional entanglement even if she did not formally represent Epstein himself.

Why did Kathryn Ruemmler resign from Goldman Sachs?

Ruemmler announced her resignation as Goldman Sachs' Chief Legal Officer on February 12, 2026, effective June 30, 2026, following the public release of Epstein-related DOJ files. The documents revealed her close personal correspondence with Epstein, including referring to him as 'Uncle Jeffrey' and 'an older brother,' as well as receiving luxury gifts such as designer handbags and a fur coat — gifts that may have violated Goldman Sachs' code of conduct requiring preapproval for client gifts. Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon had initially defended her, but the breadth of the revealed relationship made her position untenable.

What gifts did Epstein give Kathryn Ruemmler?

According to the released documents and subsequent news reporting, Epstein gave Ruemmler luxury gifts including a Hermes bag, a Fendi purse, a fur coat, spa visits, Bergdorf Goodman gift cards, and flowers. In one email, she effusively thanked him, writing 'So lovely and thoughtful! Thank you to Uncle Jeffrey!!!' These gifts were given after Epstein's 2008 sex crime conviction and sex offender registration, which has raised significant questions about Ruemmler's judgment.

Who is Kathryn Ruemmler in the Epstein files?

Kathryn Ruemmler is a prominent American attorney who served as White House Counsel under President Obama (2011-2014) and later became General Counsel of Goldman Sachs. In the Epstein files, she appears as a close personal associate and apparent legal advisor to Jeffrey Epstein. The documents show extensive direct email correspondence between them from 2015 to 2019, her inclusion in privileged attorney-client communications with Epstein's defense team, and narrative accounts describing her social visits and professional relationship with Epstein. She met Epstein in 2014 after leaving the White House and maintained the relationship even after his 2008 sex crime conviction.

Was Kathryn Ruemmler one of Epstein's lawyers?

Ruemmler has publicly denied ever representing Epstein as an attorney. However, the documents tell a more nuanced story: she was included in emails explicitly marked 'ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE' alongside Epstein's known defense lawyers Martin Weinberg, Darren Indyke, and Jack Goldberger. She was also forwarded articles about Epstein's prosecution and appeared to provide legal and reputational advice. A draft narrative states she 'withdrew from consideration' for U.S. Attorney General 'in part to work with Epstein.' Reports indicate Epstein referred the Bank Edmond de Rothschild to her as a client at Latham & Watkins, representing a professional entanglement even if she did not formally represent Epstein himself.

Why did Kathryn Ruemmler resign from Goldman Sachs?

Ruemmler announced her resignation as Goldman Sachs' Chief Legal Officer on February 12, 2026, effective June 30, 2026, following the public release of Epstein-related DOJ files. The documents revealed her close personal correspondence with Epstein, including referring to him as 'Uncle Jeffrey' and 'an older brother,' as well as receiving luxury gifts such as designer handbags and a fur coat — gifts that may have violated Goldman Sachs' code of conduct requiring preapproval for client gifts. Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon had initially defended her, but the breadth of the revealed relationship made her position untenable.

What gifts did Epstein give Kathryn Ruemmler?

According to the released documents and subsequent news reporting, Epstein gave Ruemmler luxury gifts including a Hermes bag, a Fendi purse, a fur coat, spa visits, Bergdorf Goodman gift cards, and flowers. In one email, she effusively thanked him, writing 'So lovely and thoughtful! Thank you to Uncle Jeffrey!!!' These gifts were given after Epstein's 2008 sex crime conviction and sex offender registration, which has raised significant questions about Ruemmler's judgment.

Back to People & Entities

Kathryn Ruemmler

Person

Also known as:

Kathy Ruemm|K. RuemmlerKathy RuenmlerKathy Rucmmler

8,179

Total Mentions

7,800

Documents

2,253

Connected Entities

American lawyer; White House Counsel under Obama (2011-2014), former General Counsel at Goldman Sachs

Wikipedia

Kathryn Ruemmler, former Obama White House Counsel and Goldman Sachs General Counsel, maintained a close personal and professional relationship with Jeffrey Epstein from 2014 until his 2019 arrest — the documents reveal direct personal correspondence, legal referrals, and received luxury gifts, ultimately leading to her resignation from Goldman Sachs in February 2026.

Ruemmler appears extensively in direct personal email correspondence with Epstein spanning 2015 to 2019, discussing legal matters, news articles, and political commentary. She was included in attorney-client privileged communications alongside Epstein's defense attorneys Martin Weinberg, Darren Indyke, and Jack Goldberger, and was forwarded articles about Epstein's legal cases. Several documents also reference her in narrative accounts describing social visits with Epstein where she is described as having 'just left her job as White House Counsel' and being 'in the mix as a possible next attorney general' who would 'withdraw from consideration in part to work with Epstein.' She also appears on a contact-style list alongside other prominent figures associated with Epstein.

Key Highlights

•Ruemmler was included in attorney-client privileged emails with Epstein's defense team (Weinberg, Indyke, Goldberger) and forwarded articles about his prosecution, suggesting a legal advisory role despite her public denials of representing him
•Multiple drafts of a narrative document describe Ruemmler visiting Epstein socially and state she 'withdrew from consideration' for Attorney General 'in part to work with Epstein'
•Epstein personally emailed Ruemmler about a legal victory she won for Emirates NBD Bank, suggesting he referred clients to her — corroborated by reports he connected her with Bank Edmond de Rothschild as a client
•Ruemmler appeared on a handwritten-style contact list ('list for bannon steve') alongside other high-profile Epstein associates including Ehud Barak, Alan Dershowitz, and Ken Starr
•The released correspondence led directly to Ruemmler's resignation as Goldman Sachs General Counsel in February 2026, after revelations she received luxury gifts from Epstein including handbags and a fur coat and referred to him as 'Uncle Jeffrey'

Frequently Asked Questions

Document Mentions (20 of 7,800)

EFTA02515587.pdf

EFTA02515587

3 mentions

did anyone from the White House give advice as to how other officials should answer questions =bout the matter. 5 EFTA_R1_01649977 EFTA02515591 Kathryn H. Ruemmler<A> LATHAM & WATKINS LLP 555 Eleventh Street, NW Suite 1000 Washington, D.C. 20004-1304 Direct Dial: +1.202.637.2179 <tel:%2B1.202.637.2179> Fax

4) On Fri,=Oct 17, 2014 at 4:20 PM, jeffrey E. <[email protected]> wrote: could have b=en the prostitute is pretty strong mitigation On Fri, Ruemmler «= href= target="_blank wrote: We don1=;t know -- could have been the prostitute, could have been the hotel clerk= On Oct 17, 2014 4:09 PM, "jeff

e Counsel conducted a review and had not identified any inap=ropriate behavior on the part of the White House advance team. (2) White House Counsel Kathryn Ruemmler reite=ated that conclusion in a letter to Chairman Darrell Issa in November 2012= making specific reference to the hotel document that had been pro

HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_026652 - HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_026658

Source: House Oversight Committee

3 mentions

To Represent Employee Arrested in Inauguration Day Riot, Raising Questions From: Zuieback, Jamie (DC) <i Date: Tuesday, Jan 24, 2017, 10:37 AM To: Ruemmler, Kathy (DC) <r Subject: RE: Press: Heatstreat- ‘Shady’ Israeli Mogul Hires Ex-White House Counsel To Represent Employee Arrested in Inauguration Day

Page: HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_026652 →

ance and security firms working for repressive regimes — is growing. The questions about Matania (Mati) Kochavi were sparked again this weekend when Kathryn Ruemmler, who until recently was President Obama’s White House Counsel, showed up on Saturday morning in local Washington DC court to represent one of the 217

Page: HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_026653 →

From: Kathy Ruemm|cr Sent: 1/24/2017 4:21:55 PM To: jeffrey E. [[email protected]] Subject: Fwd: Press: Heatstreat- ‘Shady’ Israeli Mogul Hires Ex-White House Counse

Page: HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_026652 →

EFTA02589285.pdf

EFTA02589285

3 mentions

frey E. <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, September 2, 2014 10:19 PM To: Kathy Ruemmler Subject: Re: Done On Tuesday, September 2, 2014, KathyRuemmler <=a href="mailto I think I would rather sit with.. On Sep 2, 2014 5:43 PM, "jeffrey E." &=t;[email protected] <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,icvmlVjee

[email protected]=1;» wrote: alone or with your friends? On Tue, Sep 2, 2014 at 5:40 PM, Ka=h <javascript:_e(47B%7D/cvm=1 Yes, I would like that. Ruemmler );» wrote: =rote: On Sep 2, 2014 12:08 PM, "jeffrey E." [email protected] <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,[email protected]=m1);» wrote: wo

From: jeffrey E. <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, September 2, 2014 10:19 PM To: Kathy Ruemmler Subject: Re: Done On Tuesday, September 2, 2014, KathyRuemmler <=a href="mailto I think I would rather sit with.. On Sep 2, 2014 5:43 PM, "jef

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EFTA02685661.pdf

EFTA02685661

3 mentions

t: Fwd: 50k retainer Forwarded message From: Kathy Ruemmler mailto Date: Wed, Oct 7, 2015 at 2:45 PM Subje

2:45 PM Subject: Fwd: To: "jeffrey E." <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]» Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message: From: <Kathryn.RuemmlerM<mailta > Date: October 7, 2015 at 2:44:39 PM EDT To: «mailto:KATHYRUEMMLE </=pan> <=pan style="color:#1f497d">Laura A. Menninger Haddo

and Foreman, P.C. 150 East 10th Avenue Denver, Colorado 80203 Main =03.831.7364 <tel FX 3 <tel <mailto www.hmflaw.com <http://www.hmflaw.com> Kathryn H. Ruemmler LATHAM & WATKINSLLP 555 Eleventh Street, NW Suite 1000 Washington, D.C. 20004-1304 2 EFTA_R1_02009281 EFTA02685662 Direct Dial: <tel Fax: t

EFTA02476664.pdf

EFTA02476664

3 mentions

Begin forwarded message: From: "Burness, Danielle M - WASHINGTON DC" <[email protected]=m> Date: December 15, 2015 at 3:12:46 PM EST To:=Kathy Ruemmler <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]», "Kathryn.Ruemmler@lw.com <mailto:Kathryn.Ruemmler@lw=com> "<Kathryn.Ruemmler@Iw.com <mai

From: Kathy Ruemmler <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 2015 8:17 PM To: Jeffrey E. Subject: Re: I know. She is a dope. But= I don't care enou

December 15, 2015 at 3:12:46 PM EST To:=Kathy Ruemmler <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]», "Kathryn[email protected] <mailto:Kathryn.Ruemmler@lw=com> "<Kathryn[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]» Hi Kathy Enclosed you will find taxable dividends, interest, a=d reali

EFTA02348188.pdf

EFTA02348188

3 mentions

From: Kathy Ruemmler Sent: Monday, March 3 , To: Jeffrey E. Subject: Fwd: Forwarded message From:= <Kathryn.Ruemmler Date: Mar 30, 2015 12:23 PM Subject: To: Cc: Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, March 30, 2

From: Kathy Ruemmler Sent: Monday, March 3 , To: Jeffrey E. Subject: Fwd: Forwarded message From:= <Kathryn.Ruemmler Date: Mar 30, 2015 12:23 PM Subject: To:

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PowerPoint Presentation

HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_030142 - HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_030148

Nov 30, 2016Source: House Oversight Committee

3 mentions

BREAK --- Actions 1. Signing the agreement (Payment method, successful fee) 2. Program Launching HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_030146 --- PAGE BREAK --- Leaders Kathryn Ruemmler • Kathryn is an attorney who formerly served as White House Counsel to President Barack Obama. She previously worked as Principal Deputy White House

Page: HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_030147 →

1. Signing the agreement (Payment method, successful fee) 2. Program Launching HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_030146 --- PAGE BREAK --- Leaders Kathryn Ruemmler • Kathryn is an attorney who formerly served as White House Counsel to President Barack Obama. She previously worked as Principal Deputy White House Counsel. •

Page: HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_030147 →

ner in the Washington, D.C. office of Latham & Watkin • She serve as principal associate deputy attorney general at the Justice Department. • In 2014 Ruemmler was speculated as being a potential candidate as the next United States Attorney General HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_030147 --- PAGE BREAK --- Ken Starr • Ken

Page: HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_030147 →

EFTA02662614.pdf

EFTA02662614

3 mentions

emm Date: February 3, 2017 at 10:14:09 AM EST Subject: FW: Mortgage Options From: Cleveland, Cindy Sent: Friday,=February 3, 2017 7:09:30 AM To: Ruemmler, Kathy (DC)=br>Cc: Mckinnon, Marilyn Subject: Mortgage Options Hello Kathryn - It was nice t=lking to you today. The apartment sounds wonderful! <

ge Options The chart didn't go through, but I can=translate if you can't see how these line up. Sent from my iPad Begin forwarded message: From: <Kathryn.Ruemm Date: February 3, 2017 at 10:14:09 AM EST Subject: FW: Mortgage Options From: Cleveland, Cindy Sent: Friday,=February 3, 2017 7:09:30 AM T

From: Kathy Ruemmler Sent: Friday, February 3, 2017 3:50 PM To: jeffrey E. Subject: Fwd: Mortgage Options The chart didn't go through, but I can=translate if you c

EFTA02495662.pdf

EFTA02495662

3 mentions

eserved »= » » » » > » » » &g=;» » » » » > » » » > -- » » » >» please note » » » » » > >»=gt; » » >» On Sat, Jul 4, 2015 at 11:09 AM, Kathy=Ruemmler < > wrote: » » &g=;> >» The information contained in this communication is =gt;> » » >» confidential, may be attorney-clie=t privileged, may » »

From: jeffrey E. <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, July 4, 2015 6:44 PM To: Kathy Ruemmler Subject: Re: will be there in about 40 minutes. coming straight f=om meeting On Sat, Jul 4, 2015 at 3:26 PM, Kathy Ruemmler <kathyruemmler@gm=il.

ou take a nap yet? »= » » > » » >» On Sat, Jul 4, =015 at 12:23 PM, Kathy Ruemmler < <mailto:kathyruemmler@gmail.=om» wrote: » &=t;> » » » » » » Kathryn He=en Ruemmler » » » » Passport U 508241975 > > EFTA_R1_01619713 EFTA02495662 » » =gt;> » Place of Birth: Washington, USA » >»=gt; » Date of I

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EFTA02366650.pdf

EFTA02366650

3 mentions

ent: Sunday, February 12, 2017 12:22 PM To: Kathy Ruemmler Cc: Jeffrey Epstein; Jim Miller Subject: RE: Dubai Importance: High Good day Ms. Ruemmler, Thank you for your below email. Please note that =n order to book VIP service/arrangements on arrival we would request you t= send us the below in

From: Adnan Mahmood Sent: Sunday, February 12, 2017 12:22 PM To: Kathy Ruemmler Cc: Jeffrey Epstein; Jim Miller Subject: RE: Dubai Importance: High Good day Ms. Ruemmler, Thank you for your below email. Please note that =n or

ive me your flight details > To arrange my office staff to receivin= you at the airport Sultan > Sent from my iPhone » On Feb 8, 2017, at 8:58 PM, Kathy Ruemml=r > wrote:<=:p> » Dear Sultan, » I very much look forward to meeting you =s well. I will be in Dubai on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. = Other

EFTA00811602.pdf

EFTA00811602

2 mentions

any other original Trustee or any successor or additional Trustee resigns, is removed, becomes incapacitated, or is unwilling or is unable to serve, KATHRYN RUEMMLER shall first be appointed to fill any vacancy of such original, successor or additional Trustee, and thereafter STEPHEN HANSON shall next b

my Executors fails to qualify, is unable or unwilling to serve or ceases to act, I appoint EVA ANDERSSON DUBIN, as successor Executor, followed by KATHRYN RUEMMLER, as successor Executor, followed by STEPHEN HANSON, as successor Executor. If one or more of such successor Executors fails to qualify, is unable o

EFTA00285156.pdf

EFTA00285156

2 mentions

:00am Appt w/Terje 11:00am Appt w/Leon Black 1:30pm LUNCH w/Yau (~1 (~) 4:00pm Appt w/Leon Black affl) 5:00pm Appt w/Misha Gromov 6:00pm appt w/Kathy Ruemmler Mon. Sept 28, 2015 NY Reminder Bondevik Reminder Larry Visoski to attend GIV School 8:30am Appt w/Kjell Magne Bondevik (~~) 10:30am Appt w/James Ce (

w/Rich and Darren 7:30pin IMPORTANT Dinner Party! 12 Total for dinner: Ehud, Nili, Terje + Terje's family, Fabrice, Pres. Of Mongolia, Peter Attia, Kathy Ruemmler, Mongolian FM, Jeffrey, plus more Tues. Sept 29. 2015 NY Reminder: Misha Gromov would like to meet Chomsky sometime Oct. 4-6 8:00am BREAKFAST w/R

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EFTA02497391.pdf

EFTA02497391

2 mentions

ffre= E. <[email protected]> wrote: when you stand up to leave , just lork demure, and say- suck my dick On Fri, Jul 10, 2015 at 5:42 AM, K=thy Ruemmler Sitting in the restaurant at the h=tel, and surrounded by men (only men) talking business. They don't kn=w what to make of me. World hasn't changed

ood. and shared. you will hopefuly get a good r=st on the plane home. . anything i can do to lighten the load?<=r> On Sat, J=l 11, 2015 at 3:08 AM, Kathy Ruemmler = wrote: This=girl is dragging Sent from my iPad On Jul 11, 20=5, at 4:10 AM, jeffrey E. <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]» w

EFTA02387180.pdf

EFTA02387180

2 mentions

t: Re: On Feb 24, 2015 11:02 AM, "jeffrey E."=<[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]»=wrote: Number? On Tuesday, February 24, 2015, Kathy Ruemmler <[email protected]=m> wrote: I have w=nted to buy a Marlene Dumas painting for a long time, didn't do it, an= now they sell for 7 figures....probably because Leon bla

From: Kathy Ruemmler Sent: Tuesday, February 24, 2015 4:04 PM To: Jeffrey E. Subject: Re: On Feb 24, 2015 11:02 AM, "jeffrey E."=<[email protected] <mailto:jee

EFTA02493593.pdf

EFTA02493593

2 mentions

nk we can have fun, d= great things. and together realy contribute to change &nb=p; or some version . <mailto On Sat Jun 30 2018 at 9:05 AM, Kathy=Ruemmler < > wrote: I was thinking about t=at re: Sheryl. On Jun 30, 2018, at 8:46 AM, jeffrey E. &=t;jeevacation@gm=il.com <mailto:[email protected]>

From: Kathy Ruemmler Sent: Saturday, June 30, 2018 8:08 PM To: Jeffrey E. Subject: Re: Too eager <=r>On Jun 30, 2018, at 2:50 PM, jeffrey E. <[email protected]

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EFTA02512926.pdf

EFTA02512926

2 mentions

From: Sent: To: Subject: jeffrey E. <[email protected]> Thursday, January 8, 2015 10:13 PM Kathy Ruemmler Fwd: Privileged and Confidential she wants to send this but i think no good , comes o= it. thoughts Forwarde= messa e From: Date: Thu, Jan 8, 2015

[email protected]> Thursday, January 8, 2015 10:13 PM Kathy Ruemmler Fwd: Privileged and Confidential she wants to s

EFTA00366042.pdf

EFTA00366042

2 mentions

0 on thursday Thurs. July 31, 2014 NY Reminder: Amy Cassell to depart at 7:30am for LSJ arrive 1:30pm Reminder: David Blaine ( ) 12:30pm LUNCH iv/Kathy Ruemmler TBD Fabrice 6:30pm Appt w/Bobby Slayton ( ) EFTA00366042

0pm Reminder: David Blaine ( ) 12:30pm LUNCH iv/Kathy Ruemmler TBD Fabrice 6:30pm Appt w/Bobby Slayton ( ) EF

EFTA02641082.pdf

EFTA02641082

2 mentions

om> Sent: Monday, August 14, 2017 10:04 PM To: Kathy Ruemmler Subject: Re: did you sell everything ?!! On Mon, Aug 14, 2017 at 2:56 PM, Kathy=Ruemmler < > wrote: Doh! It slip=ed my mind. On Aug 14, 2017, at 3:46 PM, jeffrey E. <[email protected]=> wrote: you scammed me . im told you never m=d

From: jeffrey E. <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, August 14, 2017 10:04 PM To: Kathy Ruemmler Subject: Re: did you sell everything ?!! On Mon, Aug 14, 2017 at 2:56 PM, Kathy=Ruemmler < > wrote: Doh! It slip=ed my mind. On Aug 14, 2017,

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EFTA02349776.pdf

EFTA02349776

2 mentions

From: Kathy Ruemmler Sent: Wednesday, Octo er , : To: Jeffrey E. Subject: Re: He was gracious and said the right things. On Wednesday, Octo=er 22, 2014, jeffrey

= jeffrey E. <jeevacation@gmail=com <mailto:[email protected]> wrote: » >» peace and quiet » &=t;» » >» On Wed, Oct 22, 2014 at 5:36 AM, Kat=y Ruemmler > wrote: >> >> >> » » &=t;> Why are you up so early?? >> >> >> »=» » On Wednesday, October 22, 2014, jeffrey E. <[email protected]> wrote:

EFTA02284980.pdf

EFTA02284980

2 mentions

coming to dinner tonight? (sorry, but I just want to make sure I understand what he means!) thank you! Lesley >» >>>> On May 3, 2019, at 3:25 PM, Kathy Ruemmler >>» >>» Great. Let's say 9:30 am. >>>> >»» On May 3, 2019, at 3:24 PM, wrote: >>>» >>>» sure! either time works...just let me know what you pr

To: From: Sent: Subject: Kathy Ruemmler Mon 5/6/2019 1:21:15 PM Re: Jeffrey Epstein Of course! He is so cryptic! > On May 6, 2019, at 9:20 AM, > • OK, that literally made me laugh > You a

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Connected Entities(20 of 2,253)

Jeffrey Epstein