Leading law firm apologises after comments about Middle East in leaked email

A leading global law firm has apologised “unreservedly” after comments made by a senior staff member about the Middle East were leaked.

Ethan Klingsberg, co-head of the US corporate team at Freshfields, a “magic circle” firm, made the comments in an email chain with global managing partner Alan Mason as the pair discussed expanding the firm’s legal AI unit. In the emails, the pair said they hoped to create a company worth “billions”.

According to reports in the Financial Times, Mr Klingsberg said the venture would require investment from “sophisticated investors that are respected by the rest of the investor community for their leadership”, adding that this “probably” ruled out “Middle Eastern sovereign wealth money”. Mr Mason later accidentally forwarded the email to a large internal distribution list.

In a statement on Monday, Freshfields insisted the comment “does not reflect the position or beliefs of the firm or those participating in that email chain”.

“We apologise unreservedly for a comment made about Middle Eastern sovereign wealth investors . . . the comment does not reflect the position or beliefs of the firm or those participating in that email exchange, and we sincerely regret the offence caused,” the firm said.

“We hold our clients across the Middle East in the highest regard and deeply value the longstanding relationships and trust we have built in the region. We have enormous respect for the discerning leadership and global impact of our clients and remain firmly committed to the region.”

Freshfields has offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai as well as Bahrain and Riyadh, and has managed key deals across the region over recent years, including with governments.

“Freshfields has been the trusted choice for government and the private sector in the UAE for decades,” its website reads. “We bring extensive expertise across practice areas – from M&A and finance to disputes and investigations – solving complex challenges and redefining what’s possible.

“With offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and 50 fee earners across the country, we are firmly embedded in the UAE. We understand the unique context in which you operate and offer strategic insight that delivers tangible value, driving growth and success across the region and beyond.”