Keystone Law has achieved its best results to date in The Legal 500 2025 recognising the firm’s excellence in 58 different areas of law and highlighting over 200 lawyers for the quality of their advice to clients.
The Legal 500 assesses the strengths of law firms in over 150 jurisdictions based on feedback from 300,000 clients worldwide, submissions from law firms and interviews with leading private practice lawyers, and a team of industry expert researchers.
In addition to the wide-ranging recognition by the directory, the firm was described as “accessible, easy-going, strategic, and commercial” due to its “highly competent, experienced and dependable lawyers” and “streamlined, personalised, technology-driven processes.”
Its lawyers were also praised for doing “what it takes to deliver” with a “powerful strength in depth across multiple disciplines.”
Find out more about what The Legal 500 had to say about our ranked practice areas, below.
AVIATION
The lawyers at Keystone Law advise clients on matters ranging from regulatory challenges to issues arising from major hull losses. James Healy-Pratt, admitted in England and Wales, Ireland and New York, is adept at handling insurance claims, acting for insurers and reinsurers. Owen Hanna represents passengers injured in aviation incidents while also providing advice on product liability claims. Arriving from A&O Shearman in April 2024, Mario Jacovides augments the firm’s asset finance offering, covering PDPs and Islamic finance structures.
Other key lawyers: Michael Holter
BANK LENDING: INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT AND SYNDICATED LOANS
At Keystone Law, the ‘excellent‘ Isaac Felberbaum has longstanding expertise in advising the arrangers on syndicated loan facilities to other commercial and multilateral development banks. In this regard, he regularly works alongside Robert Spedding, with both practitioners regularly advising a global investment bank, including on the provision of loans for Turkish banks.
Other key lawyers: Anastasia Papadopoulou, Fara Mohammad, Martin Brown and Simon Deane-Johns
COMMERCIAL LITIGATION: MID-MARKET
The ‘highly competent, experienced and dependable lawyers’ at AIM-listed law firm Keystone Law ‘consistently surpass expectations with their utmost professionalism’. The large practice, which covers commercial, family and property disputes and professional negligence, is home to sector specialists in shipping, sport, aviation, energy and media. Among the firm’s experienced practitioners, James Healy-Pratt acts in aviation disputes; Alex Ferrari’s practice encompasses both domestic and international disputes and veteran litigator Matthew Hennessy-Gibbs is ‘very commercially minded’. Patrick Elliott is a corporate recovery and insolvency specialist and Patrick Pennal maintains a wide-ranging international litigation practice. The practice also includes shipping, commodities and commercial litigator Dharmendra Nair; James Lankshear, who resolves disputes for companies offering spread betting and foreign exchange services; Chris Botsman, whose ‘commercial litigation experience is fundamental to the success of cases’; insurance, medical and life sciences litigator Rowan Brown; Elaine Chan, who has ‘excellent judgement’; and experienced commercial litigator Kamal Mukhi. Other names to note are Kash Balogun, Robert Kenyon, Louise Abbott, and Nick Scott. Professional liability expert Jane Howard joined from Reed Smith LLP during 2023.
Other key lawyers:Will Charlesworth
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY: CORPORATE OCCUPIERS
Keystone Law demonstrates strengths in the retail space, advising on landlord and tenant issues, and leases of flagship commercial property. Shayne Foley is well versed in representing occupiers in headquarters relocations, Lisa Raymond focuses on mixed-use developments in the leisure sector, and Robert Kilgour handles real estate investment, assisting clients with acquisitions, disposals, and property financing. Elsewhere, Dagmara Selwyn-Kuczera covers real estate portfolio management, Guy Hitchin advises banks and corporate occupiers on real estate projects in the office and hospitality industries, and Adam Cornbloom focuses on real estate finance.
EMPLOYMENT: EMPLOYERS
Keystone Law has ‘some very strong practitioners’, among them Nicholas Robertson, Angharad Harris and Paul Daniels. It has the capacity to advise both employers and employees on all advisory, transactional and contentious matters, including large scale investigations. The group has advised on a significant number of topical #MeToo harassment related claims, as well as addressing the issues relating to freelancers in the ’gig economy’. Other members include Emma Clark, Marie van der Zyl, and Rob Eldridge.
EMPLOYMENT: PENSIONS
Keystone Law’s pensions and incentives group utilises the firm’s employment, corporate, tax, regulatory and financial services expertise to provide advice to trustees of pension schemes and employers on all aspects of pension and employee benefit work, including share incentive plans. Monica Ma advises both employers and trustees and has expertise across the employee benefit space, while Ben Hughes focuses on occupational and personal pension schemes. Funds specialist Winston Penhall is also a key contact for investment management advice.
EMPLOYMENT: SENIOR EXECUTIVES
Noted for its particular strength in representing clients before employment tribunals, Keystone Law handles matters involving sexual harassment, whistleblowing, contentious team moves, gender discrimination and equal pay. Standout members of the practice include Helen Sherborne, who enjoys a strong reputation in the media and social media sectors; Angharad Harris, who is regularly called upon by clients in the banking, retail and technology industries; Jane Wheeler, whose expertise lies in the negotiation of exit settlement agreements and restrictive covenants; and Clive Howard, who excels in contentious exits, whistleblowing and discrimination claims. The team was further bolstered by the addition of Richard Fox, who brings considerable expertise in handling the investigation of sexual misconduct allegations to the table, from Kingsley Napley LLP in November 2023, while Natasha Forman joined in September 2024.
Other key lawyers: Emma Clark, Alistair French
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES: OIL AND GAS
Keystone Law handles a range of oil and gas mandates, and, in the past year, has continued to further expand into the renewables sector, offering aid on solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal and hydrogen energy. Key practitioners include Fei Mao and Stuart Mathews.
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES: POWER (including electricity and nuclear)
The team at Keystone Law is experienced in advising on all aspects of renewable and green energy projects. Jon Close is a noteworthy member of the practice with experience handling construction-based renewable energy-related issues. Its work has cross-jurisdictional reach.
Other key lawyers: Robert Spedding
FINANCE: ISLAMIC FINANCE
The ‘client-centric’ team at Keystone Law provides an ‘exceptional service’ to a range of stakeholders, including corporates, funds, private clients and banks, across a myriad of Shariah-compliant structures to facilitate inward investment relating to real estate, M&A and general corporate activities, among others. Fara Mohammad is central to much of this work and is lauded for her ‘practical, pragmatic and solutions-oriented advice’, including in relation to fintech mandates, regulatory matters and work for investment managers establishing Shariah-compliant funds.
Other key lawyers: Martin Brown
FINTECH: CORPORATE AND COMMERCIAL
Keystone Law’s deep-reaching practice encompasses activity across technology and outsourcing workstreams, crypto fraud investigations and seed investments. Praised for her ‘exceptional client handling skills’, Vanessa Barnett’s broad practice covers compliance by design and contractual work for data platforms. Louise Abbott has a well-documented history of success in cryptocurrency fraud and asset recovery,
Other key lawyers: Will Nash, Alexander Carter-Silk and Yohanna Weber
FINTECH: REGULATORY
Keystone Law is equipped to assist technology-based companies with scaling and to support tech-based business transformations. Key fintech contacts at the firm include Dan Hyde, who is well versed in the national and international regulation of crypto assets, and Leon Hurd, whose broad practice spans metaverse projects, DAOs, and cross-border VASP rules.
FRAUD: CIVIL
Keystone Law assists businesses, banks and individuals (including company directors) with fraud prevention and resolution. The practice’s expertise covers fraud-related commercial litigation, bribery, corruption, directors’ disqualification, embezzlement and money laundering cases, and tax investigations, along with SFO prosecutions, asset tracing, and freezing and undisclosed wealth management orders. Louise Abbott is a specialist in civil fraud, cryptocurrency, and asset recovery actions; Matthew Hennessy-Gibbs ‘puts together strategies that are cost effective’; and Chris Willison acts for financial institutions in fraud, litigation and asset recovery work.
Other key lawyers: Ed Judge
GAMING AND BETTING
Keystone Law is recognised for its strong expertise in both land-based and online gaming and betting, with a particular focus on high-profile and complex licensing review applications, particularly those involving potential licence revocation by the Gambling Commission. The team excels in advising on corporate transactions within the sector. Richard Williams advises a diverse clientele, from start-ups to multinational operators, on licensing and international market risks. Niall McCann specialises in liquor licensing and gaming, with an emphasis on casinos and betting shops. The team has been bolstered by the addition of Alan Owens, known for handling strategic disputes and regulatory inquiries.
Other key lawyers: Stephen Rodd
IMMIGRATION: BUSINESS
Keystone Law advises on all aspects of corporate immigration, including issues relating to sponsorships, visa applications and settlement. Working in collaboration with the employment department, the group also has considerable expertise in compliance and can assist clients with auditing the workforce and internal processes. Tsige Berhanu, Sharmila Mehta, Jayanti Mitra-Valdes, Nicola Richards, and Dhruti Thakrar are key names in the group.
IMMIGRATION: PERSONAL
Keystone Law advises on a broad range of personal immigration matters, such as advising clients applying to enter the UK as an investor or innovator, those joining family members, or those applying for British Citizenship; the group also has notable expertise in the EU Settlement Scheme. The team consists of multiple immigration specialists with broad ranging expertise; some key names include Christine Chiew, Tsige Berhanu, Sharmila Mehta, Dhruti Thakrar, Jayanti Mitra-Valdes and Nicola Richards.
INSURANCE: CLINICAL NEGLIGENCE: DEFENDANT
Keystone Law’s insurance department represents healthcare professionals in a variety of clinical negligence matters, including natal, spinal and cognitive injury claims, and cases arising from neuro and cosmetic surgeries. Tracy Sell-Peters is experienced in spinal and orthopaedic surgery claims, while Jason Kallis is skilled in medical product liability and cosmetic surgery error cases. Joanne Staphnill is active in litigation involving psychiatric claims and surgical errors. Matthew Trinder, who joined from Browne Jacobson LLP in January 2024, brings a wealth of experience in representing private insurance and independent healthcare providers.
INSURANCE: PERSONAL INJURY: DEFENDANT
Representing a diverse array of defendants, Keystone Law works with a number of local authorities and public entities – including employers and insurers – in both traumatic and catastrophic physical injuries and psychiatric claims. Cordelia Rushby acts for defendants in cases where liability is in dispute, representing manufacturers and local authorities in employer and transport injury disputes, while Steven Conway is a port of call for cases involving public infrastructure, highways and other circumstances where local authorities are involved in injury litigation.
INSURANCE: POLICY HOLDERS
Keystone Law’s insurance policyholder team is recognised for its expertise in business interruption claims, particularly those linked to COVID-19. The practice is strengthened by the presence of seasoned insurance specialists Jane Harte-Lovelace and Marie-Claire Di Mambro. Harte-Lovelace is noted for her comprehensive insurance knowledge, particularly in representing smaller companies and individuals in complex coverage disputes and quantum arguments. Di Mambro, drawing on her extensive experience representing insurers, offers a unique advantage to clients and is highly regarded for her work on business interruption claims.
INSURANCE: PRODUCT LIABILITY: DEFENDANT
Keystone Law is well versed in dealing with a variety of product liability claims stemming from international trade, frequently advising foreign insurers and manufacturers. ‘Knowledgeable, super-diligent’ practitioner Elaine Chan has a strong track record in high-value product liability claims, including multi-jurisdictional disputes. Antony Colman, a specialist in advising German clients, and Jason Kallis, who stands out for his roster of Japanese and South Korean clients, are also key contacts.
INSURANCE AND REINSURANCE LITIGATION
The insurance practice at Keystone Law acts for insurers and reinsurers across a number of sectors including shipping, aviation and life sciences. James Crabtree advises on both insurance and reinsurance claims, coverage disputes and contractual issues, while James Healy-Pratt is an aviation expert and has assisted insurers with claims relating to aviation accidents. Jason Kallis is well versed in complex insurance litigation and Elaine Chan handles product liability claims.
Other key lawyers: Vanessa Barnett, Cordelia Rushby and Ruth Hite
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY: PATENTS (CONTENTIOUS AND NON-CONTENTIOUS)
Entrusted by a diverse multitude of clients, Keystone Law is well-positioned to manage international disputes as well as handle commercial and regulatory issues. Simon Chalkley handles licensing, distribution, franchising, and technology transfer agreements for a varied roster of clients, while the ‘brilliant’ Rebecca Halford-Harrison is well-versed in the life sciences, cosmetics, and energy sectors. Other key players include Karen May Fong and Lucy Harrold. James Tumbridge and Robert Peake joined from Venner Shipley LLP in May 2024.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY: TRADE MARKS, COPYRIGHT AND DESIGN
The ‘excellent’ team at Keystone Law operates for start-ups through to multinational corporations on issues relating to multifaceted disputes, commercial IP arrangements, and risk management. Rebecca Halford-Harrison holds a wealth of experience in design and trade mark disputes, with particular expertise in relation to electronics. Karen May Fong bolsters the practice with her strengths in the trade mark space, while seasoned practitioner Simon Chalkley contributes his considerable transactional knowledge across the full gamut of IP rights. James Tumbridge and Robert Peake joined from Venner Shipley LLP in May 2024.
LICENSING
Keystone Law has a strong track record of advising on premises for large-scale hotel and hospitality developments, liquor and gambling licences, and licensing hearings and reviews, fielding a sizeable team with extensive experience. Among the key names in the team, Gareth Hughes is particularly active in the hospitality sector; Marcus Lavell represents some of the leading nightclubs and bars in the West End, and has ‘an excellent reputation, especially in the toughest licence reviews’ before London licensing authorities; and Andrew Wong is ‘especially strong’ in advising on licence applications for large mixed-use developments. Craig Baylis and Niall McCann also lend expertise to the practice.
Other key lawyers: Robert Sutherland
M&A: SMALLER DEALS, UP TO £100M
The corporate and M&A practice at Keystone Law has a particular focus on the TMT and healthcare sectors, and its expertise in these fields continues to attract new clients. Nadim Zaman specialises in M&A and corporate finance, while Dee Sian is adept in M&A and venture capital transactions. On the cross-border transaction front, Jeremy Davis is a key contact at the firm alongside Stuart Mathews, who joined the firm in 2023 from McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP.
Other key lawyers: Ed Dawes, Geoffrey Davies, Simon Holden, JP Irvine and Charles Frank
MEDIA: FILM AND TV
Keystone Law is particularly active in music-related film and TV projects but is also well placed to handle contentious matters – such as copyright litigation – within the film and TV industries. Lawrence Abramson leads on media and commercial disputes; Jacqueline Brown handles copyright infringement proceedings; Nick Weaser advises music-related issues; and Gerard Cukier is proficient in contentious and non-contentious mandates in this space.
MEDIA: MUSIC
Keystone Law’s media and entertainment team boasts a strong lineup of advisers with notable expertise in the music industry. Gerard Cukier provides counsel to prominent figures on recording and performance contracts, licensing arrangements, sponsorship deals, and reputation management. Also highly regarded are Nick Weaser, known for his skills in contract law, and Lawrence Abramson, an experienced commercial litigator.
PARTNERSHIP
The main contacts within Keystone Law’s partnership practice include Peter Garry, Clive Howard, and Emma Clark. Garry, who ‘has excellent knowledge of the law, and a high level of commercial awareness,’ is recognised for his extensive expertise in partnership disputes, while Clive Howard is adept in handling whistleblowing, breach of contract, and discrimination claims, as well as profit share disputes and partner moves. Clark, who stands out for her ‘knowledge of partnership and board disputes,’ concentrates on advising on contractual documentation for new joiners, exits, and post-termination restrictions. The team is regularly instructed by professional services businesses including accountancy and law firms.
PLANNING
Keystone Law’s broad caseload encompasses compulsory purchases, planning court litigation, as well as residential and commercial property developments. Ben Garbett is a key contact for developers, landowners, and local authorities, while Yohanna Weber is particularly focused on infrastructure mandates, mixed-use schemes, and renewable energy developments. Anna Fouracre is vastly experienced in judicial review proceedings and is often engaged in build-to-rent and strategic land matters.
PRIVATE CLIENT: AGRICULTURE AND ESTATES
At Keystone Law, Samantha Leigh plays a pivotal role in the department. Its agriculture and rural affairs team advises clients across the full spectrum of the rural industry. Clients include private individuals, developers, suppliers, landed estates, charities, manufacturers, and large corporates. Hugh Murphy has a wealth of experience in buying and selling country houses, farms, and agricultural land. Jon Close is another key member of the practice who has particular strength in construction and engineering matters.
PRIVATE CLIENT: ART AND CULTURAL PROPERTY
Keystone Law is experienced in advising ultra-high-net-worth individuals and business collectors, in addition to estates, trustees, and galleries. Its wide-ranging experience spans advising on transactions, digital art, and NFTs. It is skilled at advising on diverse matters, such as artists’ rights, authenticity, and provenance disputes. Key names in the team include Lisette Aguilar and Anthony Misquitta.
Other key lawyers: Ronan Speers
PRIVATE CLIENT: FAMILY
Keystone Law’s range of family law specialists offer particular expertise in children’s law, working remotely through its consultancy model. Experts include Susan Apthorp, who is a go-to for international relocation matters and issues involving provisions for children with complex medical needs, and Claire O’Flinn, who regularly handles reputationally sensitive matters for high-profile clients. Carolyn Bottomley is dual-qualified in England and Wales as well as Australia, while Richard Collins has specialist experience advising on the impact of addiction, bipolar disorder and behaviour difficulties on divorces.
Other key lawyers: Rachel Lemon, Carys Mason, Isobel Mundy, Richard Abrahams, Hannah Cornish, Terrence Trainor, Laura Brown, Grainne Fahy, Yasmin Khan-Gunns, Corinne Parke, Bethan Hill-Howells, Rahul Rajput, Roopa Ahuluwalia, and Jonathan Day
PRIVATE CLIENT: PERSONAL TAX, TRUSTS AND PROBATE
Keystone Law works exclusively with high-net-worth individuals. The group also works closely with some major banks and financial institutions. Alex Boothman is highly regarded in this space. Barry Adamson is skilled at advising high-net-worth individuals and their families on how to protect their finances for future generations. Luke Micallef Trigona is also recommended for his advice on a wide variety of matters such as trusts, wills, lasting powers of attorney, and family offices.
Other key lawyers: Robert Knight
PROFESSIONAL DISCIPLINE
Keystone Law’s professional discipline team, which specialises in the defence of healthcare professionals, ‘really knows how to assist clients through the perils of multi-faceted investigations’. Defending doctors, dentists and other healthcare practitioners, whose registration is questioned by healthcare regulatory bodies, Tracy Sell-Peters is ‘the go-to for any issue relating to professional discipline’; and Andrea James is an expert in both professional discipline and healthcare regulatory law. The department further includes the ‘extremely thorough’ Sharon Buckham, who has notable experience in healthcare regulatory work, while Rebecca Dymott also regularly defends healthcare professionals in regulatory proceedings.
Other key lawyers: Ioana Rugina
PROPERTY LITIGATION
At Keystone Law, the property litigation team is well versed in commercial landlord and tenant disputes, mainly in the hospitality, leisure, and office spaces. The group routinely handles forfeitures, disrepairs, rent reviews, and dilapidation claims. Andrew Tugwell advises on complex property disputes involving surveying issues, while Greg Barnbrook focuses on lease renewals. Chris Hill covers business lease renewals, Alison Moore acts on high-value asset management issues, and Ed John is instructed by developers in relation to building defects. The team was bolstered in January 2024 by the arrival of Jonathan Ross, a seasoned litigation who is well versed in a host of commercial and residential contentious work.
REAL ESTATE: CONSTRUCTION: CONTENTIOUS
Key names at Keystone Law include ‘highly knowledgeable lawyer’ Louise Elmes, who handles adjudication proceedings in real estate, design and build claims for energy clients, and subcontractor disputes; Ronan Speers, who advises contractors on damages and termination of contract matters; and Jon Olson-Welsh, who assists with management contracting in real estate and fire safety-related issues.
REPUTATION MANAGEMENT
Keystone Law is trusted by a diverse client base for defamation, privacy, and reputation management matters. Noted for ‘his great skill with client management’, Gerard Cukier brings extensive ‘expertise in all cases related to media, whether concerning reputational matters, contract issues or contentious media litigation’. Nicola Thatcher is recognised for her expertise in pre-publication work to minimise risk while maximising editorial freedom.
Other key lawyers: Ian Down, Rose Alexander and Will Charlesworth
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY
Praised for its ‘commercial approach’, the team at Keystone Law primarily assists high-net-worth clients. Featuring noteworthy figures like Ian Cooke and Sakhjit Randhawa, the group handles instructions spanning the full spectrum of the residential property market including sales and acquisitions, developments, and financings, as well as enfranchisement and disputes. Cooke regularly handles transactions within the prime and super-prime London residential property market, advising property developers on the sale of houses and apartments in developments. Randhawa is particularly skilled at assisting with high-value residential property acquisitions, sales and new development projects, as well as country residential property transactions. Hugh Murphy is a key figure within the team. James Bunker joined the firm from Vardags in January 2024. Bunker’s client base consists of high-net-worth clients from the UK and the Middle East.
SHIPPING
Keystone Law excels in marine and shipping law, covering disputes and shipbuilding as well as other commercial matters, while its Isle of Man offices enhance the firm’s capability in security registration and flagging matters. The team features shipping litigator Fei Mao, yacht specialist Jonathan Hadley-Piggin, and marine technology expert Anastasia Papadopoulou. Dispute partner Linos Choo joined the firm in May 2024.
Other key lawyers: George Lambrou and Dharmendra Nair
SPORT
Offering comprehensive coverage of reputation management, employment and corporate aspects within the sports sector, Keystone Law is hailed for being ‘very strong’. Rachel Flynn specialises in the horseracing and equine sphere, Jamie Horner is knowledgeable on the events and entertainment industries, and Peter Millichip primarily focuses on commercial and contentious matters. Gerard Cukier regularly acts for football managers and Premiership teams, and Paul Daniels is an employment law expert.
Other key lawyers: Paul Renney, Nick Tsatsas, Lucy Blick-Jones and Nick Robertson
TRAVEL
Keystone Law’s commercial and regulatory team has the international aviation ‘superstar’ James Healy-Pratt, who has noteworthy experience handling related accident and dispute cases. Regulatory compliance matters form a significant portion of the team’s workload; such work includes advising on airline and travel agent relationships under relevant regulations, as well as assisting travel agents and businesses on the remit of issues they may face therein. Owen Hanna has a contentious specialism, which he applies to aviation accidents, prosecutions against pilots, and breach of contract cases, amongst others.
Other key lawyers: Trevor Sears and Anastasia Papadopoulou
VENTURE CAPITAL
Praised by one client as a ’fantastic practice’, Keystone Law focuses on all aspects of venture capital, work routinely handling growth and replacement capital issues, alongside complex fundraisings, and investments. Nadim Zaman specialises in equity investment work; Dee Sian advises on general M&A and divestments of portfolio companies; while Catherine Williams is especially knowledgeable concerning bridge financing matters. Jeremy Davis, an expert on corporate finance and joint ventures, and Simon Holden, who advises on IPOs, are also recommended.
Other key lawyers: Winston Penhall, JP Irvine, Matthew Kitchenside and Andrew Bretherton
ISLE OF MAN: BANKING, FINANCE AND CAPITAL MARKETS
Keystone Law’s full-service team is renowned for its real estate finance knowledge, acting for banks, lenders, and funds on significant acquisitions and developments. The team also engages with sales, mergers, and restructurings of local businesses. Manx Advocate Geoff Kermeen specialises in corporate real estate transactions, often involving sizeable UK assets, and Sally Cranshaw handles a steady stream of work relating to commercial real estate and the utilisation of Isle of Man investment vehicles. Hazel Dawson advises listed clients on a variety of commercial issues, and William Margot supports the firm’s M&A work, advising on international transactions for sellers and purchasers.
ISLE OF MAN: COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
Keystone Law’s expertise in real estate finance has been utilised on complex and high-value transactions; the team can also manage large-scale landlord and tenant issues, as well as retail acquisitions and investments. Sally Cranshaw possesses deep knowledge of real estate financings, investment structures and property acquisitions, acting for an assortment of investors and lenders. Geoff Kermeen receives praise for his extensive practice, which covers the full spectrum of commercial property transactions and financing options. Vicci Laslett is a skilled conveyancer who can also advise on property finance issues, acquisitions, joint ventures, developments, and construction contracts.
ISLE OF MAN: CORPORATE AND COMMERCIAL
Complex M&A deals and corporate real estate transactions are both mainstays of Keystone Law‘s commercial practice. Geoff Kermeen has advised on a litany of matters relating to high-value commercial property assets on behalf of blue-chip clients, while Sally Cranshaw assists with commercial real estate financings through Isle of Man investment vehicles. William Margot strengthens the firm’s M&A and regulatory capabilities, whereas Stephen Rodd has expertise in tax and VAT offshore structures. Hazel Dawson advises listed companies on IPOs, reverse takeovers, restructurings, and rights issuances.
ISLE OF MAN: DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Keystone Law attracts praise for its litigation expertise. Andrew Marshall is a key name regarding Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings, while Rachel Berry has acted on several high-value claims involving personal injury issues, will disputes, and insolvencies. Andrew Langan-Newton is active across commercial and trust disputes.
ISLE OF MAN: EMPLOYMENT
The team at Keystone Law secures results for its clients in a range of employment, pensions, and incentives matters. Andrew Marshall is recognised for his work on significant whistleblowing and unfair dismissal claims, and Rachel Berry handles the employment elements of acquisitions and reorganisations.
ISLE OF MAN: GAMBLING
Keystone Law has maintained an active role in high-profile licensing review applications and significant transactions and acquisitions. The team has also notably advised clients on cryptocurrency issues regarding payment and also handled regulatory compliance issues. Stephen Rodd has a key understanding of IT and telecoms issues, advising a roster of clients from the electronic gambling industry, particularly regarding technology-based commercial agreements.
ISLE OF MAN: INSURANCE AND PENSIONS
Keystone Law is highly regarded in the Isle of Man for its work on complex and high-value pension matters. The team is skilled at drafting and establishing domestic and international pensions, and also advises on pension scheme wind-ups and insured buy-ins and buy-outs, as well as handling regulatory mandates. Ben Hughes is a pensions expert, who acts for many of the island’s largest private and public occupational pension schemes.
EAST ANGLIA: EMPLOYMENT
Platform law firm Keystone Law has a large employment practice in which the Cambridge office plays a central role, thanks to the vast experience of Kelly Sayers, and the ‘concise, focused and personable’ Rachel Flynn. They have cemented their reputation in East Anglia over the years and continue to handle complex and high-value matters for clients across the UK. The work largely concerns advice to companies/institutions on contentious matters such as the exit of high level employees/directors, director’s misdeeds and discriminations and harassment allegations.
NORTH: TECHNOLOGY
Advising a range of businesses from start-ups to multinational corporates, Keystone Law‘s IP department has expertise across the IP space, spanning IP structuring and risk management work, as well as IP disputes, often with an international dimension. Will Sander is a dual-qualified solicitor and UK and European chartered trade mark and design attorney with experience in both contentious and non-contentious IP in various sectors. His practice covers the protection, monitoring and exploitation of IP and litigation matters in the UK, Europe and globally.
NORTH WEST: FAMILY
The family practice at Keystone Law has expertise in matrimonial dispute resolution, wealth protection, and the law of children. The group acts for a broad range of high-net-worth clients, such as business developers, landowners, and celebrities, often on cases with international elements, such as foreign nationals and offshore assets. The team can leverage the knowledge of the firm’s private client team in cases with complex trust structures and international tax, as well as drawing support on the reputation management team. Sarah Thompson is knowledgeable in financial remedy proceedings, pre-marital agreements, and Schedule 1 Applications.
SOUTH WEST: CONSTRUCTION
Keystone Law‘s practice has capabilities covering the full spectrum of construction matters. Martin Howe is highly experienced in non-contentious matters including contracts and procurement mandates, with recent work notably involving universities. With experience across the hotel, hospitality, road, rail, groundworks and tunnelling spaces, Louise Garcia focuses on the contentious side including delay and contract claims. Jon Close ‘has an excellent manner and is very pragmatic’, and brings additional expertise in the renewable sector, cyber installations, and research and development projects, especially in the food security and manufacturing sectors. Meanwhile, Australia-qualified solicitor Andrew Thompson has a strong track record across a plethora of construction contracts.
Other key lawyers: Tom Phillips
SOUTH WEST: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
The practitioners at Keystone Law handle both contentious and non-contentious IP work matters ranging from IP contracts and agreements to trade mark infringements. Jessica Bent regularly advises clients in the technology, digital, and creative sectors. The intersection of IP and commercial is a core area of focus for Mailin Bala.
SOUTH WEST: IT AND TELECOMS
Clients benefit from the firm’s capability to advise on a broad spectrum of IT matters, ranging from data transfers and software licensing to outsourcing and SaaS agreements. The ‘highly experienced’ Jessica Bent, who handles contentious and non-contentious technology and IT matters, is one of the key contacts.
SOUTH WEST: INSOLVENCY AND CORPORATE RECOVERY
Keystone Law‘s practice advises a range of office holders, companies, lenders, and creditors across the restructuring and insolvency space. The team counts transactional, contentious, and advisory matters among its areas of expertise, with sector breadth ranging from the construction to retail industries. In the South West, Stephen Young is recommended for his wide-reaching expertise that includes matters with cross-border aspects.
YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER: PROFESSIONAL NEGLIGENCE
Keystone Law’s Leeds-based professional negligence team uniquely benefits from the expertise of Jonathan Watmough, who has extensive experience defending insurers; he predominantly acts for businesses and high-net-worth individuals. Sharon Duncan has a wealth of litigation experience, focusing on claims involving solicitors, surveyors and national and international banking institutions.
FIRMS TO WATCH
COURT OF PROTECTION
Zena Bolwig joined Keystone Law in August 2023 from Mackintosh Law. She has been praised as ‘an exceptional solicitor with a wealth of experience in the Court of Protection and a passion for her work’.
INSURANCE: CORPORATE AND REGULATORY
Recently bolstered by Hogan Lovells International LLP’s former co-head Charles Rix, Keystone Law is a key contact for insurance regulatory advice, while practice head Joanne Staphnill also brings expertise in the life sciences sector.
Other key lawyers: Stephen Browning
LIFE SCIENCES AND HEALTHCARE
Commercial agreements, corporate services and contentious IP mandates are all focus areas for Keystone Law with key practitioners at the firm including Vicky Clark and Rebecca Halford–Harrison.
PROFESSIONAL NEGLIGENCE
The professional negligence offering at Keystone Law has been strengthened with the addition of Jane Howard, who joined from Reed Smith LLP in May 2023. Howard has extensive experience acting for audit and accountancy firms.
Individual lawyer-only rankings
In addition to our practice area rankings, the following individuals have been recognised in the following categories:
Charities and Not for Profit: London – Robert Meakin is recognised as a leading individual.
Construction – David Gwillim is included in the Hall of Fame.
Corporate and Commercial: East Midlands – Keith Gilbert is recognised as a leading individual.
Corporate and Commercial: International Business Reorganisations – Sarah Holmes is recognised as a Leading Individual.
Employment – Nick Jew is recognised as a Leading Individual.
Employment: Employees/Unions – Clive Howard is included in The Legal 500 Hall of Fame.
Employment: Health and Safety: Yorkshire and The Humber – Sarah Taylor is included as a Next Generation Partner.
Family: North West – Sarah Thompson is recognised as a key lawyer.
Professional Discipline – Natasha Ricioppoi recognised as a Leading Associate.