Thomson Reuters names eight Keystone Law partners in its Stand-out Lawyers Guide 2026
Andrea James, Andrew Darwin & Anna McKibbin
Stephen is an experienced corporate lawyer with wide-reaching expertise in both corporate and commercial work. In particular, he acts for domestic and overseas companies coming to AIM and the standard segment of the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange.
As well as representing those coming to the market for the first time, Stephen advises companies and executives on the ongoing requirements of a public listed company, including the application of the Listing Rules and the Market Abuse Regulation. He is also the Company Secretary of a Main Market listed company and advises on the requirements of public M&A transactions and the application of the Takeover Code.
Stephen assists private companies and businesses in dealing with all aspects of company law, helping them with corporate restructuring, shareholder agreements, joint ventures, franchising arrangements, and establishing overseas offices and businesses. He represents clients undertaking all kinds of private M&A transactions and private equity investments.
Starting his career as a banking and insolvency lawyer, Stephen has significant experience in finance work. Primarily, he represents corporate clients negotiating banking and debt facilities.
Stephen holds the ICAEW Corporate Finance Qualification.
Stephen provides strategic advice on company law and corporate finance matters, helping clients navigate governance, compliance, and funding issues across a range of corporate structures and industries.
Experience
Stephen has extensive experience advising on public company listings and both public and private M&A, guiding clients through complex regulatory frameworks and high-value transactional processes.
Experience
Please note: The experience list above may include examples of work completed prior to joining Keystone Law.
Nominated as PLUS legal adviser of the year
Stephen qualified as a solicitor in 1984. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2017, he worked at the following firms: