Short Answer
Dershowitz retired from Harvard Law School in 2013 and subsequently faced years of defamation litigation from Virginia Giuffre. He mounted an aggressive public defense that consumed much of his public career. Giuffre withdrew her lawsuit in 2023. He has remained active in conservative media.
In Detail
Alan Dershowitz’s association with the Epstein case predates the public accusations against him personally. He was a member of Epstein’s legal defense team in the 2008 Florida case, which he defended publicly even after the NPA became controversial.
Academic Legacy
Dershowitz retired as a Harvard Law professor in 2013, having held the Felix Frankfurter chair. His retirement was framed by him as a normal transition to emeritus status. Whether the Epstein associations played a role in his departure is disputed; what is clear is that his standing in liberal legal academia had declined materially.
The Giuffre Accusation
In approximately 2014, Virginia Giuffre filed a declaration in civil proceedings alleging that Epstein had directed her to have sex with Dershowitz when she was a minor. Dershowitz responded with extraordinary aggression, calling her a “serial liar,” challenging her credibility in public statements, press appearances, and legal filings, and filing his own related actions. He repeatedly denied every specific allegation in categorical terms.
The Legal Battle
Dershowitz and Giuffre’s respective legal teams fought in courts for years. Dershowitz sought release of previously sealed deposition materials he believed would exculpate him. Some documents were released; their interpretation was disputed. In May 2023, Giuffre withdrew the lawsuit, stating uncertainty about her memory. Dershowitz immediately and publicly declared complete vindication.
Subsequent Career
Post-retirement, Dershowitz became a prominent commentator on Fox News and other conservative platforms. He represented Donald Trump during the first impeachment trial in 2020. He has written extensively — including multiple books directly addressing the Epstein allegations. His media profile in liberal circles has largely disappeared, replaced by an active presence in right-leaning media.