Two top lawyers at one of the City of London’s biggest firms have found themselves embroiled in a public row after a chain of emails sparked by the company appointing administrators was leaked.

In the chain, apparently sent to all members of staff at King & Wood Mallesons (KWM), Tim Taylor QC appeared to criticise George Pinkham over what he perceived to be insensitivity towards outgoing staff.

The war of words started after Mr Pinkham, who is based in New York, allegedly told staff who were being made redundant to “stay in touch” as he would not be in work on Monday because it is a holiday in the United States.