Agile working pioneer Keystone Law, has hired costs expert Tom Blackburn to join its formidable Dispute Resolution Team.

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Tom is a seasoned costs and funding expert and is skilled at dealing with all costs-related litigation across a broad range of areas including general commercial, IP, professional negligence, shipping, banking, intellectual property, fraud, defamation aviation, disaster litigation, personal injury and clinical negligence.

With the capabilities to guide clients, all the way, through initial instruction, drafting retainers, sourcing funding and budgeting to the recovery of legal costs between the parties, audits and detailed assessment – his client base comprises insurers, in-house counsel, magic-circle and silver-circle law firms, boutique specialist litigation firms, ATE providers and third-party funders,

Since the Jackson reforms in 2013 there has been a substantial increase in the role that costs and funding experts play in disputes. The arduous process of preparing cost budgets has seen firms look to costs lawyers to undertake this specialist work.

Tom witnessed this first hand during his time at Irwin Mitchell, where he was at the forefront of nearly all of the major test cases to date. That, combined with his experience of running two of the largest costs firms in the UK, means that he is uniquely placed to assist practitioners in this period of uncertainty.

Furthermore, Tom’s role as a Director at the largest Third Party Funder in the UK, enables him to act as the single solution, to what many firms subcontract to at least two external providers.

Founder and Managing Director at Keystone Law, James Knight commented:

“Tom is the perfect fit for Keystone Law with his innovative approach to legal services, paired with an impressive client base. We are constantly striving to strengthen our capabilities and find forward-thinking solutions to transform clients’ pricing structures. With that in mind, Tom will play a pivotal role in ensuring we remain at the forefront of the industry.”

Tom added:

“The Keystone approach to litigation is unique. There isn’t another law firm in the marketplace with such a flexible and dynamic team, offering so many different charging models.”