The palladium-catalyzed direct arylation of a series of 2-(diarylamino)phenyl triflates was examined. The triflates were first synthesized in moderate to good yields through the CuI-catalyzed aryl amination of aminophenol and aryl iodides, followed by triflation of the resulting triarylphenols. The thus-obtained 2-(diarylamino)phenyl triflates were subjected to direct C–H arylation under Pd catalysis to furnish the corresponding N-arylcarbazoles in excellent yields if Josiphos was used as the supporting ligand.