Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2026
Freshfields email exchange about Middle Eastern investors disclosed internally
Issue disclosure
Freshfields global managing partner Alan Mason accidentally emailed an exchange to a large internal distribution list. In the exchange, co-head of US corporate and M&A Ethan Klingsberg suggested that the firm might seek sophisticated investors and said this "probably" ruled out Middle Eastern sovereign wealth money. Freshfields apologized for the comment and said it did not reflect the firm's position or beliefs.
Company response
Apology — Freshfields
“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,” Freshfields said in a statement made to the FT on Monday.
Source excerpt
“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,” Freshfields said in a statement made to the FT on Monday.
The FT says Mason then accidentally emailed the exchange to a large internal distribution list, some of whom took screenshots.
The Freshfields email concerned an exchange between the firm's global managing partner Alan Mason and its co-head of US corporate and M&A, Ethan Klingsberg. The two men were discussing how they might spin out Freshfields' legal AI unit and Klingsberg suggested they might try “sophisticated investors that are respected by the rest of the investor community for their leadership”, and then added that this “probably” ruled out “Middle Eastern sovereign wealth money”.
2026
Freshfields apologises over comment in leaked email
Company response
Freshfields, a UK law firm, apologised after a comment about Middle Eastern sovereign wealth investors appeared in a leaked email chain. The firm issued the apology in response to the disclosure of the email content. The event was reported on 21 October 2026. No further details about the comment, the individuals involved, or any consequences were provided in the available information.
Freshfields apologised for a comment about Middle Eastern sovereign wealth investors made in a leaked email chain.
Company response
Apology — Freshfields
Freshfields has apologised “unreservedly” for a comment made about Middle Eastern sovereign wealth investors in a leaked email chain
Source excerpt
Freshfields has apologised “unreservedly” for a comment made about Middle Eastern sovereign wealth investors in a leaked email chain
2020
Second former partner charged in cum-ex investigation
A second former partner was charged with allegedly aiding and abetting tax evasion related to the cum-ex scandal.
2020
Historical links to the Atlantic slave trade
Historical research identified financial links between James William Freshfield and slave owners, prompting scrutiny of the firm's historical legacy.
2019
SRA questioning over UBS rape-complaint review
The Solicitors Regulation Authority questioned Freshfields about its review of UBS's handling of a rape complaint.
2019
Former tax head charged in cum-ex case
Ulf Johannemann, the firm's former head of international tax, was arrested and charged with tax fraud in connection with the cum-ex investigation.
2017
German investigation into Freshfields advice in the cum-ex affair
German prosecutors investigated tax advice provided by Freshfields that was reportedly used to support the legality of cum-ex transactions. The firm's Frankfurt offices were raided during the broader investigation into phantom-trading arrangements.