New sex crime charges against billionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein are bringing renewed attention to the 2008 plea deal that critics have called far too lenient—and put a spotlight on the many lawyers involved in reaching that deal.

It turns out that a number of the biggest players in Epstein's aggressive defense are also big names in the world of legal education, as is the U.S. attorney who eventually signed off on a nonprosecution agreement that ended an FBI investigation and was never disclosed to the defendant's victims. Epstein pleaded guilty in Florida state court to two prostitution charges in 2008 and served 13 months in a Palm Beach jail, much of which was spent in a work release arrangement that allowed him to work out of his nearby office. (Epstein was also required to register as a sex offender).

Federal prosecutors in New York unsealed an indictment Monday charging Epstein with sex-trafficking and conspiracy, alleging that he exploited underage girls for sex in his New York and Palm Beach, Florida, homes.