Freshfields Considers Spinning Out Legal AI Unit

Oct 15, 2026
Freshfields partners have discussed spinning out the firm's internal legal technology unit, with options including external investment or a potential public offering.

Freshfields partners have discussed spinning out Freshfields Lab and bringing in outside investors, according to Non Billable, citing the Financial Times. Options considered in an internal email exchange included external investment and a potential initial public offering.

Ethan Klingsberg, cohead of the firm's US corporate and mergers and acquisitions practice, wrote that the unit could be worth billions. Global managing partner Alan Mason accidentally forwarded the exchange to a large internal distribution list before recalling it.

Freshfields Lab develops legal technology for the firm's lawyers and clients. European partners Gerrit Beckhaus and Lukas Treichl lead the unit, which combines lawyers with technology specialists.

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