Jane has more than 25 years’ experience as a commercial litigator, with a particular focus on professional liability work for a wide range of leading professional firms where she looks after a full spectrum of legal needs including defending claims, advising on risk management and handling complex and highly sensitive regulatory (FRC) and disciplinary matters, both for individuals and firms.
Jane has acted for more than two thirds of the top 20 accountancy and audit firms (including three of the Big 4) and for 13 of the top 25 global networks and associations.
Her full understanding of the issues faced by global networks extends to advising on all areas of governance and to working with clients to establish or remodel existing structures and/or in relation to mergers. Many of the matters Jane works on have an international or multi-jurisdictional dimension.
Expertise
Jane advises professional firms and individuals on regulatory investigations, representing clients in high-profile FRC matters, defending claims against auditors, handling disciplinary matters, and advising on risk management protocols and compliance.
Experience
Represented key individuals in relation to high-profile FRC investigations into events related to or arising from audit work undertaken for Carillion and BHS.
Assisted the Special Administrators at a Big 4 accounting firm on an action seeking damages in excess of £20 million against the company’s former auditor.
Defended a claim brought against the auditor of a high-profile law firm that collapsed with a considerable indebtedness. The case raised novel issues of causation and quantum of loss. Having been robustly defended in the early stages, formal proceedings were not pursued by the liquidators. The claim is now statute-barred.
Jane advises professional firms and individuals on risk management, regulatory issues, disciplinary matters, and defending claims.
Experience
Helped a Big Four client to manage a substantial claim brought by a former client in relation to an unexpected and substantial tax charge arising on a high-profile share sale in excess of £100 million. The case (which also involved a magic circle law firm) raised complex questions of causation and contribution.
Defended insolvency practitioners at a Big 4 firm against a substantial claim for negligence brought by the former directors and shareholders of the insolvent companies. The claim was struck out with indemnity costs awarded in the client’s favour.
Assisted the Special Administrators at a Big 4 accounting firm on an action seeking damages in excess of £20 million against the company’s former auditor.
Defended a claim brought against the auditor of a high-profile law firm that collapsed with a considerable indebtedness. The case raised novel issues of causation and quantum of loss. Having been robustly defended in the early stages, formal proceedings were not pursued by the liquidators. The claim is now statute-barred.
Represented key individuals in relation to high-profile FRC investigations into events related to or arising from audit work undertaken for Carillion and BHS.
Please note: The experience list above may include examples of work completed prior to joining Keystone Law.
Recognition
Recognised by The Legal 500 as a Leading Partner for Professional Negligence 2024-2026
Recognised by the Legal 500 2025 for Commercial litigation
Member of the Audit and Assurance Faculty at the Institute of Chartered Accountants
“Jane ‘is extremely pragmatic; she applies common sense and has a superb command of the technical aspects of her subject’, with advice that is ‘second to none; she cuts through the complexity and delivers advice with superb clarity’”
The Legal 500 2020
“Always demonstrates considerable knowledge and experience, is always tremendously supportive and really rolls her sleeves up and gets involved.”
The Legal 500 2018
Jane qualified as a solicitor in 1992. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2023, she worked at the following firms:
