Keystone Law appoints seven partners to its ranks

Keystone Law has welcomed seven partners to the firm. The appointment of Ilia Dvorkin, Vijay Patel, Aaron Burgess, Jacqueline D’Arcy, Nick Martyn, James Grinstead, and Lucy Marks will add to the expertise and experience of the firm’s flourishing Aviation, Commercial Property, Residential Property, Property Litigation, Construction & Engineering, and Family practices.

James Knight, Founder and CEO of Keystone Law, said:

“We’re excited to welcome Ilia, Vijay, Aaron, Jacqueline, Nick, James, and Lucy to our teams across Aviation, Commercial Property, Residential Property, Property Litigation, Construction & Engineering, and Family.

“Their knowledge and experience highlight the exceptional talent that continues to join Keystone, enhancing the depth and excellence of service we offer our clients. They will undoubtedly contribute to our collaborative culture and ongoing success.”

The new appointments are:

Ilia Dvorkin – Aviation

Ilia is a recognised expert in asset finance. His practice focuses on a range of aircraft financing matters including pre-delivery payment financings, ECA financings, aircraft sale and purchase transactions, portfolio sales and leasing, as well as related tax, customs, and regulatory issues.

He also advises on shipping deals and assists clients with other related banking and finance transactions.

Ilia joins us from A&O Shearman where he was a Partner and the Head of the Structured and Asset Finance practice in Russia.

Vijay Patel – Commercial Property

Vijay is a commercial property partner specialising in finance and development across the real estate sector. He advises on all aspects of commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions and disposals, development agreements, commercial leases, property management, and financing arrangements for both investment and development projects.

His clients range from institutional investors and major developers to entrepreneurial businesses and specialist funders.

Vijay joins Keystone from Gateley where he was a Partner.

Aaron Burgess – Commercial Property

Aaron advises on a broad range of transactions including investment acquisitions and disposals, development, leasing and financing throughout England. In addition, he advises owners of prominent London buildings in landlord and tenant matters.

Aaron’s clients include property funds, investors, developers, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals.

Prior to moving to Keystone, Aaron was a Partner at Burgess Okoh Saunders.

Jacqueline D’Arcy – Residential Property

Jacqueline acts for individuals, investors, and companies on the sale and purchase of freehold and leasehold properties, as well as on refinancing and general conveyancing matters.

Her work includes handling all aspects of residential transactions, from initial instruction through to post-completion.

Jacqueline joins Keystone from Druces, where she was a Solicitor.

Nick Martyn – Property Litigation

Nick is an experienced property litigation partner. He advises commercial landlords, tenants, developers, investors, and leaseholders on a wide and varied range of property-related issues, with particular focus on property investment and development, commercial landlord and tenant matters, and leasehold enfranchisement.

Nick was a Partner at RWK Goodman before joining Keystone.

James Grinstead – Construction & Engineering

James is a construction and engineering law specialist, who advises on both contentious and non-contentious matters.

He drafts and negotiates JCT, NEC and bespoke construction contracts relating to large-scale UK and international developments and infrastructure projects. He regularly advises clients on risk allocation, contract negotiations and amendments, procurement and ancillary security documents such as collateral warranties, performance bonds, and insurance aspects.

James was a Senior Associate at DWF before joining Keystone.

Lucy Marks – Family

Lucy is a highly experienced family lawyer with over two decades of practice. She specialises in financial matters arising from divorce, including high-value and complex asset cases, as well as private children law disputes, such as relocation applications.

Her clients include individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, including professionals, business owners, and international clients requiring specialist knowledge of cross-border family law issues.

Before joining Keystone, Lucy ran her own firm.