Kathryn Ruemmler, Goldman Sachs’ Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel, received a 27% increase in her compensation for 2025, bringing her total pay to $25 million. This raise comes amid scrutiny over her connections to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which led to her resignation announcement in February 2026.
Goldman Sachs’ recently filed proxy statement commends Ruemmler for her “exceptional judgment and advice across a broad range of legal, risk management, regulatory and people matters.” ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathryn_Ruemmler?utm_source=openai))
Documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice revealed extensive interactions between Ruemmler and Epstein from 2014 to 2018. These included email exchanges where she referred to Epstein as “Uncle Jeffrey” and accepted gifts such as handbags and an Apple Watch. ([forbes.com](https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2026/02/13/goldman-sachs-top-lawyer-resigns-after-epstein-files-reveal-emails-to-uncle-jeffrey/?utm_source=openai))
In response to the revelations, Ruemmler announced her resignation from Goldman Sachs, effective June 30, 2026. She stated that the media attention surrounding her relationship with Epstein had become a “distraction.” ([aljazeera.com](https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2026/2/13/top-goldman-sachs-lawyer-kathy-ruemmler-resigns-over-epstein-ties?utm_source=openai))
Prior to joining Goldman Sachs in 2020, Ruemmler served as White House Counsel under President Barack Obama and was a partner at the law firm Latham & Watkins. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathryn_Ruemmler?utm_source=openai))
Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon acknowledged Ruemmler’s contributions, stating, “Throughout her tenure, Kathy has been an extraordinary general counsel, and we are grateful for her contributions and sound advice on a wide range of consequential legal matters for the firm.” ([aljazeera.com](https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2026/2/13/top-goldman-sachs-lawyer-kathy-ruemmler-resigns-over-epstein-ties?utm_source=openai))
Ruemmler is scheduled to testify before the U.S. House Oversight Committee regarding her ties to Epstein. Her spokesperson emphasized that she “has done nothing wrong and had no knowledge of any ongoing criminal activity on his part.” ([nydailyrecord.com](https://nydailyrecord.com/2026/03/04/goldman-sachs-departing-top-lawyer-ruemmler-to-testify-on-epstein-ties/?utm_source=openai))
Goldman Sachs has not commented on whether Ruemmler’s compensation will be adjusted in light of her impending departure.