According to DOJ-released documents indexed by Epstein Exposed, Jay Lefkowitz appears in 1 case document, and 38 email records in the Epstein files.
Attorney at Kirkland & Ellis who was part of Jeffrey Epstein's defense team during the 2007-2008 plea negotiations. Helped negotiate the non-prosecution agreement with federal prosecutors.
Large reports can take 10 to 30 seconds. Your download will start automatically.
Jay Lefkowitz is mentioned in documents or reporting related to the Epstein case. Being mentioned does not imply any wrongdoing, criminal conduct, or inappropriate behavior.
This dossier was generated by AI (Claude) from court filings, government releases, and other documentary sources in our database. It may contain errors or misattributions. Always verify claims against the linked source documents.
Background
Jay Lefkowitz is an American attorney and partner at the prominent law firm Kirkland & Ellis LLP, based in their New York office (Citigroup Center, 153 E. 53rd St., New York). Prior to his legal career in private practice, Lefkowitz held significant government positions, including serving as Deputy Assistant to the President of the United States and later as a Special Envoy to North Korea. These roles made him a well-connected figure in Washington political and legal circles.
Lefkowitz's public profile became linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case when he joined Epstein's defense team during the critical 2007-2008 federal plea negotiations in the Southern District of Florida. Alongside other high-profile attorneys including Roy Black, Alan Dershowitz, Kenneth Starr, Martin Weinberg, and Gerald Lefcourt, Lefkowitz played a central role in negotiating the terms of the controversial non-prosecution agreement (NPA) with the U.S. Attorney's Office. His Kirkland & Ellis affiliation became a point of scrutiny because former U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta, who approved the NPA, had previously worked at the same firm.
After Epstein's plea and conviction on state charges, Lefkowitz continued to represent Epstein in at least a media-management capacity, serving as a point of contact for journalists seeking comment on his client as late as 2011.
Epstein Connection
Jay Lefkowitz was a core member of Jeffrey Epstein's defense team during the 2007-2008 federal investigation and plea negotiations in the Southern District of Florida. He served as a primary point of contact between the defense and the U.S. Attorney's Office, corresponding directly with AUSA Ann Marie Villafana, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Sloman, and U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta. Lefkowitz negotiated the terms of the non-prosecution agreement and signed it on behalf of Epstein as his attorney. His role at Kirkland & Ellis--where Acosta had previously worked--drew allegations that this professional connection influenced the favorable terms of the deal. He also continued to serve as Epstein's attorney after the plea, forwarding journalist inquiries and managing media contacts as late as March 2011.
Key Allegations(8)
Lefkowitz was a key negotiator of the non-prosecution agreement (NPA) between Jeffrey Epstein and the U.S. Attorney's Office, signing the agreement on behalf of Epstein as his attorney.
documentedLefkowitz and co-counsel Kenneth Starr were both partners at Kirkland & Ellis, where U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta had also previously worked, raising questions about whether professional ties influenced the favorable plea deal.
allegedLefkowitz and Starr were described as 'power players in Washington--men who might help Acosta down the road,' suggesting a potential quid pro quo in the Epstein plea deal.
allegedLefkowitz personally reviewed a reporter's contemporaneous notes that allegedly confirmed the U.S. Attorney's Office violated Department policy by providing case-specific information to the defense outside proper channels.
allegedLefkowitz disputed which version of the agreement Epstein was bound by, arguing Epstein could not be bound by an agreement he did not sign versus one he did sign, referencing his December 2007 written communications.
documentedLefkowitz coordinated with FAUSA Jeffrey Sloman and U.S. Attorney Acosta to adjust Epstein's plea date from the original schedule to November 20, 2007.
documentedDefense attorneys including Lefkowitz filed a motion to block disclosure of plea-deal correspondence, allegedly to prevent its use in civil actions by victims.
documentedLefkowitz was part of a defense team that allegedly hired private investigators to dig up personal information, as alleged in a letter from Alex Acosta.
allegedLegal Status
Lefkowitz is not charged with or accused of any crime. He appears extensively in documents as Jeffrey Epstein's defense attorney during the 2007-2008 federal plea negotiations. He signed the non-prosecution agreement on Epstein's behalf and is referenced in numerous internal DOJ and court communications. He did not respond to requests for comment from journalists investigating the case.
Notable Statements(3)
“we cannot accept your contention that Mr. Epstein is bound by an agreement he didn't sign as opposed to one he did sign, particularly in light of my written communications to your office dated December 21, 2007 and December 26, 2007.”
“Dear Ms. Wolfe, I understand you have...”
“thanks for responding to my email. You have narrowed down some of the implementation issues.”
Contradictions(2)
FAUSA Jeffrey Sloman's May 19, 2008 letter to Lefkowitz claimed an independent, de novo DOJ review of the Epstein case had been conducted.
Internal documents indicate the review was performed by Drew Oosterbaan, who had previously reviewed the prosecution memo, and was limited in factual and legal scope rather than a full independent review.
Lefkowitz did not respond to journalists' requests for comment about the FBI memo stating Epstein provided information to the FBI.
In 2011, Lefkowitz proactively reached out to journalist Alexandra Wolfe offering to answer questions about Epstein, suggesting selective media engagement depending on the subject matter.
Key Relationships(10)
Lefkowitz served as Epstein's defense attorney during the 2007-2008 plea negotiations and continued representing him in media matters through at least 2011. He signed the NPA on Epstein's behalf and forwarded journalist inquiries to Epstein and his team.
Lefkowitz communicated directly with U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta during plea negotiations. Both had ties to Kirkland & Ellis. Lefkowitz emailed Acosta on October 18, 2007 confirming a revised plea date.
Roy Black was co-counsel on Epstein's defense team. Lefkowitz copied Black on emails to prosecutors and co-filed motions including the April 7 motion to block disclosure of plea correspondence.
Kenneth Starr was a fellow Kirkland & Ellis attorney on Epstein's defense team. Together they petitioned Deputy AG Mark Filip for DOJ review of the Miami U.S. Attorney's prosecution approach.
AUSA Ann Marie Villafana was Lefkowitz's primary point of contact at the U.S. Attorney's Office. They exchanged numerous emails about plea terms, charging documents, sentencing guidelines, and victim notification between September 2007 and at least October 2008.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Sloman corresponded with Lefkowitz about victim notification, plea scheduling, and the DOJ review. His May 19, 2008 letter to Lefkowitz addressed the scope of the DOJ's independent review.
Martin Weinberg was co-counsel on Epstein's defense team. He joined Lefkowitz and Black in the April 7 motion to block disclosure of plea-deal correspondence.
Alan Dershowitz was a member of Epstein's defense team alongside Lefkowitz. Both are referenced in documents about the plea negotiations and the NPA.
Deputy Attorney General Mark Filip was the recipient of the Starr/Whitley letter (which referenced Lefkowitz's review of reporter's notes) requesting DOJ review of the Miami U.S. Attorney's handling of the Epstein case.
In March 2011, Lefkowitz forwarded journalist questions about Epstein to his team that included inquiries about Epstein's relationship with Ghislaine Maxwell.
Timeline(18 events)
AUSA sent Lefkowitz revised plea documents over the weekend, including a 403 charge and discussion of potential conspiracy charges involving a young woman who traveled on Epstein's airplane when under 18.
AUSA emailed Lefkowitz about draft agreements, noting issues with his version and discussing sentencing guideline calculations for the proposed charges.
AUSA Villafana emailed Lefkowitz pressing to wrap up negotiations by Monday, stating 'Jay - I hate to have to be firm about this, but we need to wrap this up by Monday.'
Email chain between Villafana and Lefkowitz discussing selection of Special Master candidates and retired 11th Circuit judges.
Lefkowitz emailed U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta confirming a revised plea date of November 20, 2007.
Correspondence with FAUSA Jeff Sloman about delaying victim notification, with Lefkowitz's team objecting to sending letters before Epstein entered a plea.
AUSA Villafana sent a victim notification letter to Lefkowitz, with copies to Jeff Sloman and Alex Acosta.
Internal Kirkland & Ellis email (Lefkowitz to staff) discussing judge selection, victim notification under the Justice for All Act, and coordination with the U.S. Attorney's Office. References a meeting on 11/21/2007 about Judge Davis's selection.
Written communication from Lefkowitz to the U.S. Attorney's Office regarding agreement terms (referenced in later correspondence).
Second written communication from Lefkowitz to the U.S. Attorney's Office regarding agreement terms (referenced in later correspondence).
DOJ Criminal Division (Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section) addressed a memo to Lefkowitz at Kirkland & Ellis regarding the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein.
Fax from DOJ Criminal Division (Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Alexandra Gelber) to both Acosta and Lefkowitz.
FAUSA Jeffrey Sloman responded to Lefkowitz's email informing Acosta that the defense would seek DOJ review. Sloman's letter purported to summarize an independent de novo review of the case.
Lefkowitz emailed prosecutors disputing which version of the agreement Epstein was bound by, stating 'we cannot accept your contention that Mr. Epstein is bound by an agreement he didn't sign,' and requesting two weeks to confer with client.
Lefkowitz acknowledged receipt of the United States' Response to the Petitioners' Motion to Unseal the Non-Prosecution Agreement in the Jane Does v. United States case.
Lefkowitz emailed journalist Alexandra Wolfe offering to answer factual questions about Epstein, claiming press coverage was inaccurate and defamatory.
Lefkowitz forwarded Wolfe's questions to Epstein (at jeevacation@gmail.com) and Darren Indyke, including inquiries about Epstein's $15 billion client base, Science Foundation, ties to Ghislaine Maxwell, and Bill Clinton.
Lefkowitz forwarded Wolfe's full questionnaire to Michael S. Sitrick (PR/crisis management) for review.
At a Glance
Click values for sourcesSources
1 source for document mentions
The email chain between Ann Marie Villafana and Jay Lefkowitz discusses the potential charges and ag...
“The email chain between Ann Marie Villafana and Jay Lefkowitz discusses the potential charges and ag”
Activity Timeline
External Cross-Check
Search ICIJ Offshore Leaks, OFAC Sanctions, SEC EDGAR, and Federal Courts
Document Mentions
Email Mentions (38)
Fw:
----- Original Message ----- From: "Wolfe, Alexandra" [• Sent: 03/07/2011 02:04 PM EST To: Jay Lefkowitz Subject: RE:
RE:
Dear Mr. Lefkowitz, Martin Weinberg Here are the questions I'd like to ask Jeffrey Epstein. Would he be available to answer any of these on the phone
Fw:
Dear Ms. Wolfe, I understand you have some questions about my client, Jeffrey Epstein. Given that much of the press coverage surrounding Mr. Epstein h
(No Subject)
Dear Ms. Wolfe, I understand you have some questions about my client, Jeffrey Epstein. Given that much of the press coverage surrounding Mr. Epstein
Here are the questions I'd like to ask Jeffrey Epstein. Would he be available to answer any of these on the phone or by email? People have told me some of his thoughts on background but I wanted to see if he could tell me or email me anything directly I could use on the record. Also I'd like to run the information I already have by you or him.
Dear Mr. Lefkowitz, Here are the questions I'd like to ask Jeffrey Epstein. Would he be available to answer any of these on the phone or by email? Pe
Alexandra Wolfe called from Newsweek
Dear Ms. Wolfe, I understand you have some questions about my client, Jeffrey Epstein. Given that much of the press coverage surrounding Mr. Epstein
Re: Fw:
Dear Ms. Wolfe, I understand you have some questions about my client, Jeffrey Epstein. Given that much of the press coverage surrounding Mr. Epstei
RE:
Dear Mr. Lefkowitz, Here are the questions I'd like to ask Jeffrey Epstein. Would he be available to answer any of these on the phone or by email?
Re: Fw:
Privileged - Redacted
RE:
Dear Mr. Lefkowitz, Here are the questions I'd like to ask Jeffrey Epstein. Would he be available to answer any of these on the phone or by email? Pe
Showing 10 of 38 emails. View all →
Schedule (1)
2010-11-30 to 2010-11-30
Conference call with Jay Lefkowitz and others
This dossier on Jay Lefkowitz was compiled from court records, flight logs, and public documents. 100% free, ad-free, and independent.