Keystone Law has announced the appointment of 18 partners to the firm. Christopher Jackson, Patricia Collis, Andrew Myers, Matt Dennis, Mike Cain, Peter Cooper, Alex Pritchard, Reign Lee, Thibaut D’hulst, Aoife O’Sullivan, Nichola Carter, George Booth, Richard Max, David Warman, Laurie Hammond, Gerry Kennedy, Joshua Hartle, and Thomas Djan-Krofa join Keystone’s IP, Corporate, Employment, Technology, Commercial Property, Commercial, Aviation, Immigration, Planning, Banking & Finance, and Property Litigation teams.

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

“We are thrilled to welcome such a talented group of partners across our IP, Corporate, Employment, Technology, Commercial Property, Commercial, Aviation, Immigration, Planning, Banking & Finance, and Property Litigation teams. Their extensive experience and deep sector knowledge will further strengthen our capabilities and enhance the service we provide to our clients.”

The new appointments are:

Christopher Jackson – Aviation

Christopher is an asset finance partner who specialises in domestic and cross-border asset finance and leasing transactions. He has particular expertise in aircraft and engine leasing and trading, structured finance, and sales finance. He also advises on the procurement of aviation assets and on after-market support programs offered by manufacturers.

His clients include leasing companies, banks, private equity investors, airlines, and other aviation businesses seeking advice on complex aviation finance matters.

Christopher was a Partner at Reed Smith before he joined Keystone.

Patricia Collis – IP

Patricia is a highly experienced brand protection lawyer, specialising in the strategic growth, management, and exploitation of trade mark and design portfolios. She works with clients across a variety of sectors, including technology and telecommunications, retail, sports, food and beverage, and education.

Patricia joins us from DLA Piper where she was a Partner.

Andrew Myers – Property Litigation

Andrew has over 30 years’ experience handling substantial, difficult commercial property disputes.

He regularly handles large dilapidations claims, forfeiture, tenant default and insolvency matters, restrictive covenants, contract enforcement, injunctions, lease renewals, rent reviews, problematic property contracts, disputes arising from property joint ventures, and professional negligence claims in a property context.

Andrew joins Keystone from Stephenson Harwood, where he was a Partner and Head of Property Litigation.

Matt Dennis – Corporate

Matt is a corporate partner advising on all aspects of corporate law, in particular domestic and international M&A, equity financings and venture capital, joint ventures, and group reorganisations.

He acts for large corporates and PE-backed businesses acquiring growth companies or SMEs, for founders and management teams on sale transactions, for early-stage/growth companies on fundraisings, and for investors.

Matt was a Partner at Bristows before he joined Keystone.

Mike Cain – Employment

Mike is an experienced employment partner and litigator with over 16 years of expertise in senior exits, termination disputes, and workplace discrimination claims. He advises and represents senior executives, particularly those in FCA-regulated financial roles, as well as professionals across the tech, legal, academic, advertising, and media industries.

Mike also has significant experience in collective employment disputes and trade union matters. He has acted in high-profile cases, including key collective redundancy litigation before both the Court of Appeal and the CJEU.

Prior to joining Keystone, Mike was a Partner at Cole Khan Solicitors.

Peter Cooper – Commercial Property

Peter is a commercial property partner specialising in renewable energy with a particular focus on solar PV, onshore wind, battery storage, electric vehicle charging, anaerobic digestion, and synchronous condensor projects.

He advises landowners, developers and funders across the full project lifecycle, from heads of terms and site acquisition through to financing, development and disposal.

Peter was a Partner at Stephens Scown before he joined Keystone.

Alex Pritchard – Corporate

Alex specialises in international M&A, private equity, venture capital, joint ventures, and related advisory work. His clients include private equity funds, institutional investors, independent sponsors, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals.

Alex joins the firm from Cadwalader, where he was Counsel.

Reign Lee – Technology

Reign specialises in digital regime counselling and compliance, with particular expertise advising clients on the impact of the UK Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act, EU Digital Markets Act, EU Digital Services Act, UK Online Safety Act, and the European Accessibility Act.

She acts for a wide range of clients, including leading tech companies, global brands, investment funds, online marketplaces, and businesses in the creative industries.

Reign was previously a Solicitor and Head of Strategy at Van Bael & Bellis.

Thibaut D’hulst – Technology

Thibaut is an experienced EU lawyer specialising in EU data and digital regulation, with strong experience in the regulation of AI and new technologies, intellectual property, pharmaceutical law, and competition law. He advises on strategic compliance and design under EU digital rules.

Thibaut acts for a wide range of clients, including leading pharma and tech companies, global brands, online marketplaces, as well as businesses in the entertainment and creative industries.

Thibaut joins from Van Bael & Bellis.

Aoife O’Sullivan – Aviation

Aoife is an aviation lawyer with expertise across private, corporate, and commercial aviation. She advises a global client base – including ultra-high-net-worth individuals, corporations, aircraft operators, financiers, lessors, manufacturers, and private owners – on all aspects of aircraft acquisition and sale, financing, and regulatory compliance.

Aoife is also Chair of the British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA).

She joins Keystone with her pod members David Chamberlain (Consultant Solicitor), Emilio Huelga (Senior Associate), and Rob Walsh (Associate).

Aoife joins Keystone having run her own firm (The Air Law Firm) and prior to that was a Partner and Head of Aircraft Finance at Kennedys.

Nichola Carter – Immigration

Nichola is recognised world-wide as a leading authority on UK immigration law. Her clients include multinational corporations, Russell Group universities, independent schools and colleges, high-net-worth individuals, international families, and public figures across business, entertainment, and the arts.

She has played an influential role in shaping immigration policy, providing expert input to government consultations and maintaining strong working relationships with senior officials at the Home Office.

Nichola ran her own firm (Carter Thomas) before she joined Keystone and prior to that, was a Partner and Head of Immigration at Penningtons Manches Cooper.

George Booth – Corporate

George is a highly experienced international corporate and projects lawyer, specialising in transactional and advisory work in the energy and infrastructure sectors.

He regularly acts for multinational corporates, governments, junior energy companies and startups on domestic and cross-border matters, including joint ventures, business and share sales, farm-ins, refining, processing, and transporting agreements, energy and commodity purchase and offtake agreements, shareholder agreements and the full suite of commercial contracts.

George joins Keystone having previously run his own firm (Booth Law) and prior to that, was a Partner at Pinsent Masons.

Richard Max – Planning

Richard is a highly experienced planning lawyer and acts for developers and local authorities. His work covers all aspects of planning and compulsory purchase law as well as highways and infrastructure. He represents both promotors and objectors.

Before joining Keystone, Richard ran his own firm (Richard Max & Co) and prior to that, was a Partner and Head of Planning at Olswang.

David Warman – Planning

David advises on all aspects of planning, compulsory purchase and highways law. His clients include property development and investment companies, sporting and educational institutions, high-net-worth individuals, charities, and local authorities.

David was a Partner at Richard Max & Co. prior to joining the firm.

Laurie Hammond – Banking & Finance

Laurie is a dual-qualified senior banking and finance lawyer in England and South Africa.

She specialises in trade and commodity finance, debt finance, and refinancing, acting for global financial institutions and corporates active in trade finance. Her sector experience spans financial institutions, energy and natural resources, infrastructure, metals and mining, and agriculture.

Laurie ran her own company before she joined Keystone and before that, was a Partner at Hogan Lovells.

Gerry Kennedy – Commercial and IP

Gerry is a commercial and intellectual property partner with over 25 years’ experience gained in senior in-house and advisory roles across multiple sectors. He specialises specifically in the life sciences sector, where he advises on complex commercial, intellectual property, and technology matters.

Gerry was formerly General Counsel at biotechnology company Ascend Advanced Therapies.

Joshua Hartle – Banking & Finance

Joshua advises lenders, funds, sponsors, corporates and individuals on a broad range of secured and unsecured debt finance transactions.

He focuses on real estate finance, leveraged/acquisition finance, asset-based lending, venture debt, and distressed M&A transactions. His work includes advising on complex funding structures and refinancings, intercreditor and subordination arrangements, and the design and perfection of security packages.

Joshua joins the firm having been a Senior Associate at Marriott Harrison.

Thomas Djan-Krofa – Property Litigation

Thomas is an experienced property dispute resolution lawyer with a primary focus on resolving complex conflicts. His work in property litigation spans a broad range of landlord and tenant issues for both residential and commercial property owners. He represents developers, retail businesses, property managers, homeowners, charities, trusts, and social landlords facing disputes related to property rights or commercial property agreements.

Thomas was a Legal Director at Blake Morgan before joining Keystone as a Partner.

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