📩 Top law firm faces backlash over leaked emails dismissing Middle Eastern wealth funds Global law firm Freshfields has issued an "unreserved" apology after leaked emails revealed comments by senior executives questioning whether Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds would be suitable investors in its planned legal AI venture, the Financial Times reports. 🔶 Ethan Klingsberg, co-head of Freshfields' US corporate team, reportedly wrote that the venture needed investors respected for their leadership — a criterion that would "probably" rule out Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds 🔶 Global managing partner Alan Mason accidentally forwarded the email exchange to a large internal distribution list 🔶 Freshfields said the remarks did not reflect the firm's views, expressed regret for the offense caused, and reaffirmed its respect for clients across the Middle East Here's the catch: Freshfields has offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahrain, and Riyadh, and has longstanding relationships with governments and businesses across the region. 👍 Substack | Chat | @geopolitics_prime