Keystone Law has achieved its best results to date in The Legal 500 2026 recognising the firm’s excellence in 70 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 “agile and client focussed” with an “innovative and highly responsive model that empowers its lawyers to deliver outstanding client service with flexibility and efficiency.”
Our lawyers were also highlighted as being “an all-around team of experts” who “go above and beyond for their clients.”
Find out more about what The Legal 500 had to say about our ranked practice areas, below.
AVIATION
Keystone Law provides comprehensive legal services to aviation and transportation sector clients. Specifically, the team has expertise in regulatory compliance, financing, dispute resolution, and large-scale contractual negotiations. The team includes Michael Holter, who advises airlines and shareholders on cross-border M&A, joint ventures and complex commercial transactions; James Healy-Pratt, who is best known for resolving high-profile aviation accidents globally; and Owen Hanna, who handles disputes related to product liability, aircraft liens, and prosecutions against pilots.
Key lawyers: Stephen McGlennan
BANK LENDING: INVESTMENT GRADE DEBT AND SYNDICATED LOANS
At tech enabled full-service law firm Keystone Law, Isaac Felberbaum and Robert Spedding are focused on advising financial institutions, in either a bilateral or syndicated arrangement, providing loans to supra-national trade entities, multilateral trade finance institutions and banks, particularly in emerging economies. Much of their recent work in this regard has taken place within Turkey, including unsecured syndicate loans to many leading banks in the country containing ESG/sustainability ratchet provisions.
Other key lawyers: Anastasia Papadopoulou, Fara Mohammad, Simon Deane-Johns
COMMERCIAL LITIGATION: MID-MARKET
Keystone Law‘s dispute resolution team handles a wide range of matters throughout the practice area. The team possesses a wealth of experience, covering an array of commercial disputes, with a particular focus on fraud, shipping, aviation, and financial services disputes. Furthermore, with specialised knowledge across multiple major jurisdictions, the group offers clients expertise in navigating cross-border litigation. The strength of the practice is bedded in its deep bench, with several leading individuals. Alex Ferrari brings notable experience in the aviation, insurance, and energy sectors, with a practice covering various sectors, that encompass both domestic and international disputes. In addition, Matthew Hennessy-Gibbs is continually instructed in large fraud matters, regularly working with both private individuals and family offices. Louise Abbott maintains distinct specialisms in cryptocurrency and asset recovery work.
Other key lawyers: James Healy-Pratt, Nick Scott
COMMODITIES DISPUTES
Keystone Law joins the ranking having hired Linos Choo from DLA Piper in 2024. Choo has a strong track record in commercial litigation and arbitration, particularly in the areas of shipping, commodities, and international trade finance. As well as GAFTA, FOSFA, LME and RSA arbitrations for some of the world’s leading trading houses he is active in many other international arbitration fora, and in the High Court in London. He is currently involved in the defence of a £1.5bn commodities-related fraud claim brought by the Danish Tax and Customs Administration.
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY: CORPORATE OCCUPIERS
The corporate occupier practice at Keystone Law has particular strengths in advising on landlord and tenant issues and leases within the retail sector, as well as acting in investments and mid-market sales and purchases. Shayne Foley helps occupiers navigate the establishment of UK headquarters and relocation, while Guy Hitchin acts for investment companies and corporate occupiers in the office and leisure segments. Adam Cornbloom’s far-reaching offering combines property investment, development, and leasing capabilities, and Nadine Obayda’s practice sits at the cornerstone of property disputes and commercial real estate work, handling dilapidations and terminations.
Other key lawyers: James Daglish and Alex Heaton
CORPORATE RESTUCTURING & INSOLVENCY
Entrepreneurial law firm Keystone Law has a number of strong individuals in its ranks, including Elaine Nolan, who joined in March 2025 from Kirkland & Ellis International LLP. Nolan has an excellent track record at handling distressed mandates in the retail space and is adept at advising on real estate leasehold restructurings. Matthew Hennessy-Gibbs is another key contact and excels at handling cross-border insolvency disputes.
Other key lawyers: Patrick Elliot; Edward Judge; Aman Sehgal; Stephen Young and Samantha Hall-Burnett
EMPLOYMENT: EMPLOYERS
The employment team at Keystone Law offers both breadth and depth of experience, with lawyers across many sectors and specialisms, including media, financial services, telecoms, and hotels. Nicholas Robertson regularly advises on litigation and commercial matters, and Angharad Harris is proficient in cases involving reputational risk. Paul Daniels focuses his practice on executive dismissals, contract disputes and discrimination claims. In the last 12 months, the team has gained a number of individuals, namely Natasha Forman, Emma Loveday-Hill, Emily Plosker and Rhodri Thomas.
Other key lawyers: Sarah Garth, Alexandra Carn and Katie Clark
EMPLOYMENT: PENSIONS
Working cross-departmentally with their employment, corporate, tax, regulatory, and financial services teams, Keystone Law‘s pension practice is experienced in pension plans, benefit designs, wind-ups, investment issues, share incentive plans, among other key workstreams. Monica Ma possesses nearly three decades of experience advising employers and trustees. Other notable practitioners include the recently hired David Griffiths.
Other key lawyers: Ben Hughes and Winston Penhall
EMPLOYMENT: SENIOR EXECUTIVES
Keystone Law focuses on complex and high-value senior executive matters. Key names to note in the team include Angharad Harris who acts for senior individuals from banks, retail and technology companies, and Clive Howard who specialises on contentious exits, whistleblowing and discrimination claims. Julie Morris focuses her practice on discrimination claims that cover sex, maternity and equal pay, whilst Jane Wheeler is active in restrictive covenant matters. Helen Sherborne regularly negotiates new employment contracts and terminations, and Paul Daniels handles complex and high-profile disputes. Emma Clark advises on strategic HR projects, team moves and cases related to redundancies. Richard Fox’s capabilities range from bonus arrangements to investigations concerning allegations of sexual misconduct. Mike Cain joined the firm in September 2025.
Other key lawyers: Alistair French, Keely Rushmore, Nick Tsatas, Alexandra Carn, Natasha Forman
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES: OIL AND GAS
Keystone Law’s ‘extremely nimble’ team advises clients across a spectrum of oil and gas matters, demonstrating ‘deep knowledge’ of the sector. Fei Mao brings regulatory and transactional insight. Stuart Mathews is a key contact on transactional mandates in the natural resources space, Pav Samothrakis is ‘commercially minded’ and an expert on offshore energy matters, and Alexis Petrou is a commercial specialist.
FINANCE: ISLAMIC FINANCE
Keystone Law‘s Islamic finance offering is geared to advising institutional investors, banks, investment managers and funds on a broad range of Sharia-compliant transactions. Fara Mohammad is core to this work and is well-known for her deep knowledge of Islamic finance products. Mohammad is frequently instructed by clients in Asia and the Middle East investing into the UK.
FINTECH: CORPORATE AND COMMERCIAL
Keystone Law‘s fintech practice supports clients navigating disruptive technologies, IP, data, and commercial contracts, often acting in a general counsel capacity. The practice often counsels clients on NFT, SaaS, and blockchain-related legal issues, offering expertise across advisory, litigation, and regulatory compliance. Vanessa Barnett leads advisory work for VC-backed scale-ups, and has deep experience with internet-enabled business models, machine learning, and the gig economy. Louise Abbott is a disputes expert with a specialism in crypto fraud and digital asset recovery, advising clients, including FTX investors, on tracing and recovering cryptocurrency proceeds.
Other key lawyers: Will Nash; Alexander Carter-Silk; Dan Hyde and Leon Hurd
FRAUD: CIVIL
Keystone Law’s fraud and financial crime group assists businesses, banks and individuals, including company directors, on both prevention and resolution-related matters. For cryptocurrency fraud and asset recovery, Louise Abbott is the name that stands out, while veteran litigator Matthew Hennessy-Gibbs boasts experience in high-valued civil fraud cases. Ed Judge supports on fraud matters arising from insolvencies.
Other key lawyers: Chris Willison
GAMING AND BETTING
Keystone Law is noted for its specialist expertise in advising on regulatory challenges and transactional matters across both land-based and online gambling. The team is regularly instructed in high-stakes licensing reviews, particularly those concerning potential revocation proceedings brought by the Gambling Commission. Richard Williams is a key contact for start-ups and multinational gambling operators, while Alan Owens specialises in litigation and regulatory investigations, especially for online betting platforms. He was commended for his ‘great strategic sense, detailed knowledge of the industry and understanding of how it works mean that he should be the first port of call for gambling disputes.’ Carl Rohsler regularly advises on high-profile transactions and is often instructed by governments and regulators worldwide on gambling law.
Other key lawyers: Stephen Rodd, Niall McCann
IMMIGRATION: BUSINESS
Led by a team of experienced practitioners, Keystone Law advises corporates on the full range of immigration matters, from sponsorship and visa applications to settlement. The practice draws on close collaboration with the employment department to deliver compliance support, regularly assisting clients with workforce audits and the review of internal systems. Some of the standout contacts include Tsige Berhanu, Sharmila Mehta, Jayanti Mitra-Valdes, Nicola Richards, Dhruti Thakrar, Nichola Carter
IMMIGRATION: PERSONAL
INSURANCE: CLINICAL NEGLIGENCE: DEFENDANT
Keystone Law’s clinical negligence team acts exclusively for private clients, insurers, and healthcare professionals, offering partner-led defence in complex and high-value matters. Core individuals include Tracy Sell-Peters, Jason Kallis, and ‘excellent’ Matthew Trinder who ‘will not rest until he is sure that he has covered every angle.’ The team brings extensive experience across clinical negligence, regulatory, and inquest work. The team is instructed in sensitive cases involving spinal and birth injury, and also serves as monitoring counsel on international matters. Alongside core litigation work, the team also provides regulatory support and early-stage medico-legal guidance.
Other key lawyers: Sharon Buckham, Natasha Ricioppo, Joanne Staphnill
INSURANCE: PERSONAL INJURY: DEFENDANT
Keystone Law’s personal injury defendant team includes the ‘excellent’ Cordelia Rushby and Steven Conway, both longstanding figures in the London local authority and insurer defence space. The firm adopts a partner-only model, with senior lawyers conducting all litigation rather than delegating to junior teams. The group handles a steady stream of public and employer’s liability claims for clients including local authorities, insurers, and self-insured corporates, often involving psychiatric injury, fatalities, and regulatory overlap. The practice is increasingly active in advising on operational and risk-based matters, particularly in sectors such as media, leisure, and infrastructure.
INSURANCE: POLICY HOLDERS
The ‘talented and experienced specialist solicitors’ at Keystone Law often work on complex, multi-jurisdictional matters. Jane Harte-Lovelace advises insurers and brokers on D&O, professional indemnity, and financial lines policy matters. Marie-Claire Di Mambro, a ‘stand-out practitioner’, is well-experienced in resolving difficult insurance coverage disputes, while Frank Maher is a ‘true expert’ in anti-money laundering compliance, professional regulation, and professional indemnity insurance coverage disputes. Known for advising law firms and property professionals on regulatory issues, Sue Mawdsley has expertise in financial crime issues.
Other key lawyers: Michael Fluss, Nigel Forsyth
INSURANCE: PRODUCT LIABILITY: DEFENDANT
Keystone Law’s team, which is noted for the flexibility of its approach, often represents clients, including insurers, in claims for product issues related to international trade and supply chains. The team is unique in its ability to act in product liability arbitration and mediation, as well as advising on related insurance issues due to its close collaboration with the firm’s insurance team. Antony Colman is ‘emblematic of versatility, often representing manufacturers, importers and suppliers in negligence claims with complex related insurance law issues attached.’ Elaine Chan stands out for representing international clients in multi-jurisdictional disputes.
Other key lawyers: Jason Kallis
INSURANCE AND REINSURANCE LITIGATION
Keystone Law is home to a range of insurance and reinsurance disputes experts whose experience span an array of sectors and business lines. Hermès Marangos is a standout feature of the team and is highly regarded for his expertise in disputes involving emerging markets, notably in infrastructure, engineering, financial products and guarantees. The ‘totally unflappable’ and ‘highly intelligent’ James Crabtree’s expertise covers insurance and reinsurance claims, coverage and disputes. James Healy-Pratt excels in aviation claims, while Elaine Chan is the go-to for product liability claims and ‘stands out for representing international clients in multi-jurisdictional disputes.’ Jason Kallis is also a name to highlight.
Other key lawyers: Cordelia Rushby, Ruth Hite
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY: PATENTS (CONTENTIOUS AND NON-CONTENTIOUS)
The large intellectual property outfit at Keystone Law receives instructions from clients hailing from various innovation-based sectors and supports clients with their contentious and commercial IP needs, including SEP/FRAND matters, digital asset protection, patent infringement work, IP strategy, transactions, and more. Team members include Rebecca Halford–Harrison, who handles patent issues in chemistry and formulation-based industries such as the food and beverage, cosmetics, life sciences, and electronics spaces. Simon Chalkley advises brand, creative, and tech-driven companies on transactions, strategy, and disputes, while Robert Pocknell specialises in telecoms work. James Tumbridge and Robert Peake arrived from Venner Shipley LLP in 2024.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY: TRADE MARKS, COPYRIGHT AND DESIGN
Offering clients advice on contentious and commercial issues, Keystone Law is equipped to counsel clients involved in various cross-border matters, from copyright infringements in the music sector, to breach of confidence disputes and supply and manufacturing agreements. Versatile IP litigator Rebecca Halford-Harrison handles regulatory disputes in various industries, and Karen May Fong is a key contact for commercial trade mark work. Simon Chalkley advises tech-driven businesses, and Will Sander comes highly recommended by clients for his ‘excellent technical knowledge that is combined with solid practical guidance.’ James Tumbridge and Robert Peake joined from Venner Shipley LLP in 2024.
Other key lawyers: Lucy Harrold, Anthony Misquitta, Patricia Collis
INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION
Keystone Law is home to specialists in disputes involving the shipping, sport, aviation, energy, and media sectors; and the practice’s expertise covers international, commercial and investment treaty arbitrations under various institutional rules, such as UNCITRAL, ICC, ICSID and FIFA. George Lambrou routinely acts in high-value, multi-jurisdictional disputes; Bledi Albri assists with banking, corporate, construction, IP, fraud and oil and gas conflicts; and Linos Choo’s track record includes LCIA, LMAA, SIAC, SCMA and CIETAC arbitrations.
Other key lawyers: Kash Balogun, James Tumbridge, James Crabtree, Andrew Tugwell, Manan Singh, Dharmendra Nair
LICENSING
Keystone Law is adept at advising on property licensing issues for large-scale hotel and hospitality developments, alcohol and gambling licences, as well as licensing hearings and reviews, housing a large team which continues to expand and benefit from the addition of three partners from former law firm Memery Crystal in 2025. This includes Carl Rohsler, a gambling law specialist forming a key part of the group’s activity in gambling licence applications and review matters, operating for clients nationally but notably in prime Central London locations. Gareth Hughes has a strength in the hospitality industry including restaurants and late-night hospitality, often advising on matters stemming from corporate transactions and M&A. Elsewhere, Andrew Wong regularly works with local councils on specific licensing issues, while Niall McCann ‘has a personable approach to navigating difficult and complex applications opposed by residents.’
Other key lawyers: Marcus Lavell, Luke Elford
M&A: SMALLER DEALS, UP TO £100M
Keystone Law’s corporate M&A team is equipped to advise SMEs, entrepreneurs, and businesses from the TMT and healthcare sectors on M&A, disposals, and related tax and compliance matters. The practice notably employs a multi-disciplinary approach, involving practitioners from the property, employment, tax, and pensions groups, to provide a holistic service to clients. Key contacts in the department include sell-side expert Nadim Zaman, healthcare M&A specialist Dee Sian, and transaction structuring authority Andrew Stilton. On the cross-border front, Jeremy Davis is the go-to, while Stuart Mathews is the primary member of the team for disposals.
Other key lawyers: Andrew Bretherton, Paul McCourt, Keith Gilbert,
MEDIA: FILM AND TV
Keystone Law is sought out for its specialism in litigation, often assisting individuals in the film and TV industry with IP or defamation disputes. Jacqueline Brown leads on copyright infringement disputes, while Lawrence Abramson handles media and commercial disputes, often representing individuals and corporate organisations and is ‘a superb litigator. Renowned for obtaining settlements for his clients on excellent terms, he is a great tactician.’ The team also assists film and TV clients with transactions related to funding and investments. It often advises musical artists and creatives on film and TV projects and issues.
Other key lawyers: Gerard Cukier , Tom Guida
MEDIA: MUSIC
Keystone Law is well-placed to advise on contentious and non-contentious issues for music individuals and corporate organisations. Nick Weaser is a key advisor to songwriters, artists, and producers on publishing and record deals, as well as live performance, merchandising, and sponsorship agreements. Litigation specialist Lawrence Abramson represents high-profile individuals and music companies in copyright, contractual, and license disputes. Copyright infringement proceedings against writers and publishers are handled by Jacqueline Brown.
Other key lawyers: Nick Owers
PARTNERSHIP
The main contacts within Keystone Law’s partnership practice include disputes specialist Peter Garry, financial services expert Clive Howard who gives ‘clear, pragmatic advice, not simply on legislation, but on practical pathways to finding a solution’, and contractual authority Emma Clark. The partnership practice at Keystone Law is well equipped to advise on both contentious and non-contentious matters for a growing client base. The team is adept at assisting with exits, litigation arising from whistleblowing and discrimination allegations, and partnership agreements, as well as M&A, restructurings, and regulatory issues. Other key practitioners in the group include Jane Wheeler and Simon Jackson.
Other key lawyers: Simon Jackson
PLANNING
Keystone Law handles a wide range of matters including compulsory purchases, planning litigation, and both residential and commercial property developments. Ben Garbett acts as a primary contact for developers, landowners and local authorities. Yohanna Weber concentrates on infrastructure projects, mixed-use developments, and renewable energy. Anna Fouracre brings extensive experience in judicial reviews and regularly advises on build-to-rent schemes and strategic land issues.
Other key lawyers: Tom Barton
PRIVATE CLIENT: AGRICULTURE AND ESTATES
Keystone Law continues to receive a diverse stream of instructions spanning farm partnership disputes and the creation of credits for the BNG market, to leasing work and vacant possession of estate housing. The ‘exceptional’ Samantha Leigh expertly handles non-contentious work, including refinancing and grazing licences. Sarah Thompson chiefly acts on the settlement of financial disputes between divorcing and unmarried couples, while Ben Garbett is a seasoned planning lawyer who advises on agricultural developments and diversification projects. Jamie Horner is a go-to for landowners and estates on the management of events. Antonia Shield joined from Clifford Chance LLP in 2025.
PRIVATE CLIENT: ART AND CULTURAL PROPERTY
The group at Keystone Law is well-versed in handling matters regarding the sale, acquisition and ownership of artworks and antiques. Arranging the gifting of artistic collections to museums and appraising archives are also key aspects of the team’s workload. Anthony Misquitta is a noteworthy member of the team who advises clients across sectors, including software and tech, acting for artists and designers, and museums and cultural institutions. Team developments include the August 2024 arrival of Simon Oldfield.
PRIVATE CLIENT: COURT OF PROTECTION
The ‘always thorough and highly personable’ offering at Keystone Law has some excellent practitioners, which includes the ‘outstanding’ Zena Bolwig. Bolwig is immensely experienced in health and welfare mental capacity law, and in best interest cases. She covers diverse matters, such as cross-border disputes, capacity to consent to sexual relations, and community care law. Helen Calcutt has a sizeable practice and regularly acts as a professional deputy. Calcutt often advises lay clients on the deputyship process, as well as on statutory will applications.
Other key lawyers: Ashton Davies
PRIVATE CLIENT: FAMILY: CHILDREN
Keystone Law’s children’s practice includes experienced family lawyers handling a broad range of matters across jurisdictions, where many of the firm’s partners are dual-qualified. Key family experts include Susan Apthorp, who advises on international relocation and cases involving provision for children with complex medical needs, and Claire O’Flinn, recognised for her work in cases involving allegations of coercive and controlling behaviour, including claims of narcissistic abuse and alienation, as well as Charlotte Cuevas, who focuses on child arrangement disputes and relocation applications and is described as having ‘excellent judgment and is great and seeing her clients through difficult cases.’
Other key lawyers: Hannah Sisk, Sarah Thompson, Carys Mason, Isobel Mundy, Richard Abrahams, Hannah Cornish, Terrence Trainor, Laura Brown, Grainne Fahy, Yasmin Khan-Gunns, Rahul Rajput, Carolyn Bottomley, Richard Collins
PRIVATE CLIENT: FAMILY: DIVORCE AND FINANCIAL REMEDY
The ‘exceptional team’ at Keystone Law operates through its distinctive consultancy model, enabling senior lawyers to work remotely as specialists in their field. Key experts within the team include Claire O’Flinn and Susan Apthorp, who are both experienced in matters involving domestic abuse, controlling and coercive behaviour, and allegations of narcissism. Carys Mason’s practice increasingly involves representing intervenors in financial remedy proceedings, especially those concerning complex trust or property structures. Emma Harte, a mediator and trained collaborative lawyer, advises across all family matters, including pre- and post-nuptial agreements.
Other key lawyers: Sarah Thompson, Laura Brown, Rachel Lemon, Carolyn Bottomley, Hannah Sisk, Sarah Thompson, Isobel Mundy, Richard Abrahams, Hannah Cornish, Terrence Trainor, Laura Brown, Rahul Rajput, Richard Collins, Louisa Guest, Olive Gathoni, Trisha Siddique, Rachel Lemon
PRIVATE CLIENT: FAMILY: MEDIATION
‘First rate’ Emma Harte has expertise in all things family law, including complex financial disputes, prenuptial agreements and international relocation involving children, a source said ‘she offers focused, pragmatic and top-quality advice from the very first meeting. Clients love her, opponents like and respect her. She is great in every respect.’ Roopa Ahluwalia joined the firm in 2024 from Birketts LLP and provides expertise in negotiating financial settlements and acting on complex children’s issues. Rachel Lemon often deals with complex disputes involving high-value assets, and financial and child arrangements.
Other key lawyers: Bethan Hill-Howells
PRIVATE CLIENT: PERSONAL TAX, TRUSTS AND PROBATE
The onshore specialists at Keystone Law deal with all domestic private client matters, such as tax planning, trusts and complex cross-border estates. This team acts for large, landed estate owners, wealthy individuals and successful business people. Its offshore practice covers all aspects of UK tax planning for individuals who have a foreign connection. It often advises on offshore structures, asset protection and succession planning. Barry Adamson is noted as being ‘very patient, clear instructions, and unrivalled knowledge in the probate area’ and Alex Boothman is ‘an excellent private client lawyer. He has strong technical skills, is efficient and pragmatic. He is very personable and has an excellent manner when dealing with clients, presenting highly complex issues to them in an easily understandable way.’
PROFESSIONAL DISCIPLINE
Keystone Law’s professional discipline and healthcare regulatory team specialises in defending professionals, with a focus on both the healthcare sector and legal regulatory, and insurance. The group handles matters relating to various healthcare regulators, from appeals, judicial reviews, PSA challenges, as well as criminal, inquest, and inquiry work. Andrea James’ practice focuses on defending professionals at fitness to practise proceedings before their regulatory bodies, while Tracy Sell-Peters has experience defending accountants as well as healthcare practitioners and is noted as ‘one of the most respected lawyers in this field.
Other key lawyers: Sharon Buckham, Rebecca Dymott, Jonathan Watmough
PROPERTY LITIGATION
Keystone Law’s versatile property litigation team has continued to expand with the arrival of Jonathan Ross, formerly at Forsters LLP, and David Wise from Armstrong Teasdale. ‘Approachable and extremely knowledgeable’ Andrew Tugwell is well-versed in disputes relating to valuation and surveying issues, while Greg Barnbrook frequently advises clients in the casual dining industry and ‘always takes a pragmatic and considered approach to assisting his clients achieve the results they need.’. ‘Client-focussed’ Chris Hill covers the whole range of commercial property disputes, including business lease renewals, enforcement action, and dilapidations and is ‘flexible in approach and advice without compromising the client’s position’. Alison Moore and Ed John are also recommended.
REAL ESTATE: CONSTRUCTION: CONTENTIOUS
Keystone Law regularly handles construction disputes in the energy, residential real estate, and transport sectors. Louise Garcia supports a diverse client base of contractors, employers, and consultants and is described as being ‘extremely competent, knowledgeable, committed and hard working.’ ‘Commercially acute’ Louise Elmes’ portfolio of work covers the real estate, hospitality, and leisure sectors, while Ronan Speers regularly receives instructions from developers, contractors, and subcontractors.
REPUTATION MANAGEMENT
Keystone Law handles defamation, privacy and data protection matters for a broad client base, including politicians, media personalities and corporates. Gerard Cukier, described by clients as a ‘master of negotiation’, advises on reputation management and data protection issues. Nicola Thatcher specialises in libel, privacy and pre-publication work. The team was recently strengthened by the arrival of three new partners: Emma Thompson from Hamlins LLP, and James Tumbridge and Robert Peake from Venner Shipley LLP
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY
Keystone Law’s residential property practice has dedicated focus on advising high-net-worth clients across the full spectrum of the market, including sales and acquisitions, development projects, and financing. Ian Cooke and Sakhjit Randhawa’s work is concentrated on the prime and super-prime London market, where he advises property developers, while Randhawa handles high-value residential acquisitions, new development projects, and country property transactions and are ‘always available to problem solve.’ The team also includes the ‘very approachable’ key figure Hugh Murphy, and James Bunker, who advises a client base of high-net-worth individuals from the UK and the Middle East.
Key lawyers: Felicity Sergeant, Zoe Squibbs
RETAIL AND CONSUMER
Keystone Law has a dedicated practice that specialises in a variety of retail and consumer matters, including property, commercial, employment, and intellectual property issues. The team is versed in advising on commercial contracts, distribution and supply agreements, franchising, health and safety issues, tax queries, licensing, planning proceedings, the online retail space, and in-store concessions. Sarah Taylor advises some of the biggest retail and food industry businesses in the UK and is described as ‘the best retail and consumer solicitor in the country – her advice is always clear, commercial and correct and her strategic thinking is first-rate.’ The team has bolstered its size with the hirings of Antonia Shield (from BPE Solicitors LLP), Elaine Nolan (from Kirkland & Ellis International LLP), and Gabe Harley (from Kirkland & Ellis International LLP).
Key lawyers: Andrew Wong, Carolyn Bane, Karen May Fong, Niall McCann, Richard Williams, Marcus Lavell
SHIPPING
Keystone Law provides comprehensive services across the maritime sector, covering everything from insurance issues to dispute resolution and ship finance. Linos Choo is well known for his commercial litigation expertise, particularly involving bills of lading, ship finance, and cross-border insolvency. Pav Samothrakis frequently handles cases related to energy and offshore operations. Alexis Petrou is respected for his skill in commercial marine and trade matters, with a solid track record in litigation. Pav and Alexis are ‘both exceptional. Their response time is consistently very fast. Advice is always practical, clear and of very high quality. For me, as an in-house lawyer that handles most matters myself, this is exactly what I need.’ Other notable members of the team include Jonathan Hadley-Piggin and Anastasia Papadopoulou.
Other key lawyers: George Lambrou, Dharmendra Nair, Matthew Hennessy-Gibbs, Fei Mao
SPORT
Keystone Law’s sport offering is centred around Rachel Flynn’s specialism in the horse racing and equine world. Flynn acts for a range of organisations and individuals in the sector, and her expertise spans employment issues, transactions and ownership agreements, alongside liability disputes. As well as this strength, the firm is able to support clients with contentious and non-contentious issues throughout a range of sports, boosted by Jamie Horner’s knowledge of the motorsport industry. Paul Renney is a commercial lawyer who is capable of handling intellectual property matters for sport clients.
TRAVEL
The travel team at Keystone Law comprises seasoned experts with in-depth knowledge of regulatory authorities, helping clients stay fully compliant while navigating complex legal frameworks. The team regularly advises on regulatory, financial, and contractual matters, particularly in relation to IATA and ABTA rules, and supports travel businesses and agents in maintaining commercial advantage. James Healy-Pratt is a leading international aviation lawyer, regularly acting in high-profile aviation disputes and matters involving aviation insurance and reinsurance. Trevor Sears is a key contact for issues relating to travel fraud and insolvency.
Other key lawyers:, Mario Jacovides, Linos Choo, Anastasia Papadopoulou
VENTURE CAPITAL
Mainly specialising in the tech, healthcare, and energy industries, Keystone Law is well-versed in equity fundraisings and growth capital investment rounds. From London, the ‘excellent’ Nadim Zaman concentrates on refinancings and divestments of portfolio companies, while Dee Sian is a highly experienced corporate lawyer. Catherine Williams focuses on PE-backed transactions, Jeremy Davis is a corporate finance expert, and Winston Penhall is also cited as integral.
Other key lawyers: JP Irvine, Matthew Kitchenside, Charles Frank and Andrew Bretherton
ISLE OF MAN: BANKING, FINANCE AND CAPITAL MARKETS
Particularly renowned for its work in the real estate field, Keystone Law’s banking and finance team works with clients on both borrower and lender-side mandates. The practice is led by managing director Geoff Kermeen, who marshals his skills and experience in the British and European commercial real estate sectors, specialising in loan facility establishment and acquisition financing. Sally Cranshaw and William Margot provide Isle of Man legal and regulatory counsel on global financial transactions, and Hazel Dawson is experienced in counselling listed companies on an array of debt, tax, rights and regulatory issues and gives ‘authoritative commercial advice.’
ISLE OF MAN: COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
Keystone Law’s commercial property expertise and experience covers a wide array of needs, including legal advice during major property acquisitions and corporate transactions, financing and refinancing agreements, and arrangements between landlords and tenants. The practice is led by Sally Cranshaw, Geoff Kermeen, and Vicci Laslett. Cranshaw’s commercial real estate work covers the establishment of novel Isle of Man financial structures and loan facilities; Kermeen is the team’s transactional expert, representing prominent financial services corporations on major property acquisitions, and Laslett works with clients with complex requirements regarding extensive real estate portfolios.
ISLE OF MAN: CORPORATE AND COMMERCIAL
Keystone Law’s commercial practice combines the strengths of dedicated transactional advocates with finance and property experts to provide holistic counsel on complex M&A and other corporate transactions. Geoff Kermeen advises on financial regulation amid major international commercial real estate acquisitions; he ‘delivers a consistent and effective service’ and is ‘very good in his field.’ Stephen Rodd is the practice’s tax and VAT specialist, and ‘superb’ Sally Cranshaw provides Isle of Man counsel in significant global M&A and English law document reviews. One source commented she is ‘always on top of the key Manx issues and pragmatic in her approach.’ William Margot is an expert regarding regulated entities for both lenders and purchasers, and Hazel Dawson provides general island-based commercial law counsel.
ISLE OF MAN: DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Keystone Law’s unique approach as a firm strengthens its dispute resolution practice, with specialists across a range of disciplines, and the department is often instructed by major London and international law firms on complex multijurisdictional disputes. The group is led by Andrew Marshall, who takes charge of commercial matters ranging from shareholder disputes to employment claims, and Andrew Langan-Newton advises on trust, land and property litigation.
ISLE OF MAN: EMPLOYMENT
Keystone Law focuses on many elements of employment law in its counsel, including employee incentive plans, redundancies and internal restructuring, shareholder management, as well as contentious litigation. Andrew Marshall has considerable experience representing employers in high-profile contentious employment disputes, including executive severance and whistleblowing matters. Ben Hughes, who works with prominent employers, leads on pay equity and Equality Act compliance, and Andrew Langan-Newton represents individuals in unfair dismissal claims at tribunals.
ISLE OF MAN: GAMBLING
Keystone Law advises prominent eGaming companies on regulatory due diligence, venture capital investments, licensing and operation, and employment issues, integrating corporate and commercial experience into its practice. The department is led by Stephen Rodd, who has multi-jurisdictional experience advising telecoms and gambling companies on commercial agreements as well as on corporate and regulatory issues.
ISLE OF MAN: INSURANCE AND PENSIONS
Keystone Law provides Isle of Man tax, regulatory and transactional legal counsel to many large international insurance and pension funds and schemes, often also working with large clients in the financial sector. Instructed by global and other Isle of Man-based law firms on pensions matters, Ben Hughes has established, long-term relationships with major occupational pension schemes, for whom he provides advice on ongoing governance and administration pension scheme and trust mergers, acquisitions, terminations and transfers, as well as pension business establishment and redomiciling, many of which have complex insurance regulatory and legal elements attached.
EAST ANGLIA: EMPLOYMENT
As part of a substantial UK-wide offering, the Cambridge-based team at Keystone Law assist across a broad range of matters. Notable areas include advice on contentious matters, particularly executive staff exits, director’s misdeeds, and discrimination and harassment allegations. Kelly Sayers is a highly experienced practitioner who advises employers on managing difficult employees, defending Employment Tribunal claims, redundancy and restructuring exercises, and employment aspects of corporate transactions. Rachel Flynn is a further key contact.
NORTH: TECHNOLOGY
NORTH WEST: FAMILY
‘Stand-out’ Sarah Thompson, who specialises in settling financial disputes between divorcing and unmarried couples, particularly HNW cases ‘has real talent for identifying the hidden details in divorce cases involving public sector employees.’ Thompson also advises on complex pensions, and represents clients with business interests, foreign property, farms, and inherited assets, as well as those in the sporting industry. Gianna Lisiecki-Cunane joined the practice in 2024 and advises on divorce, financial relief, cohabitation, and Schedule 1 applications. Lisiecki-Cunane also has expertise in children disputes, handling cases involving narcissistic personalities, substantial asset divorces, and children matters involving domestic abuse, alienation, and substance abuse.
SOUTH EAST: EMPLOYMENT
Keystone Law’s employment team, described as ‘flexible and responsive’, routinely acts for senior executives. The department includes Natasha Forman, Sarah-Jane Watson, and Michelle Last. Forman is well regarded for her experience in employment litigation, with particular expertise in discrimination cases. Watson is a key contact for advising on redundancy processes, while Last is noted for her work negotiating settlement agreements. Nigel Forsyth is also recommended.
SOUTH EAST: PERSONAL TAX, TRUSTS AND PROBATE
Keystone Law’s private client team is experienced in handling succession planning for high-net-worth individuals, including the drafting of complex wills and estate structuring. Camilla Bishop is a key figure in the group, recognised for her expertise in inheritance tax matters and long-standing experience in estate planning. Robert Knight is also recommended for his experience in advising on will and trust structuring, probate, powers of attorney, and post-death variations.
Key lawyers: Ashton Davies, Lloyd Junor, Simon Mackie, Will Norton
SOUTH WEST: CONSTRUCTION
Keystone Law‘s construction practice covers the full spectrum of construction matters. Martin Howe handles non-contentious construction law and procurement, while Louise Garcia acts for contractors, employers and developers on a range of contentious matters. Jon Close handles a range of contentious and non-contentious matters, while Tom Phillips specialises in non-contentious aspects of construction and development. Meanwhile, Andrew Thompson specialises in commercial construction projects and handles matters for a variety of industries such as housing, education, retail, healthcare, hotels and hospitality.
SOUTH WEST: IT AND TELECOMS
The technology team at Keystone Law provides ‘comprehensive, timely and valuable’ advice to businesses ranging from large corporates to start-ups. Jessica Bent specialises in high-value IT procurement projects, outsourcing, and platform systems licensing support. Bent is joined by Mailin Bala, who comes highly recommended for her ‘meticulous attention to detail’ across copyright, technology and data matters. Gemma Lally is another key contact.
SOUTH WEST: INSOLVENCY AND CORPORATE RECOVERY
Offering ‘a great blend of technical nous and commercial acumen’, Keystone Law provides transactional, contentious and advisory insolvency support. The firm’s presence in the UAE and Australia enables local expertise on multi-jurisdictional issue arising in a distressed context. It has also seen an increase in its construction sector expertise. Stephen Young, regarded as ‘a fantastic insolvency lawyer’, advises on both corporate and personal insolvency matters.
YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER: PROFESSIONAL NEGLIGENCE
The professional negligence team at Keystone Law is recognised for its strategic, client-focused approach to complex disputes. Jonathan Watmough has a wealth of experience in defending professional indemnity claims. Sharon Duncan adds considerable depth with her extensive background in both claimant and defendant work, specialising in high-value cases involving financial institutions and professionals such as solicitors and surveyors.
FIRMS TO WATCH
Firms To Watch recognises the best up-and-coming practices:
EAST ANGLIA: FAMILY
Keystone Law advises on all aspects of family law, including complex financial settlements and complex child arrangements.
Key lawyer: Roopa Ahluwalia
HOSPITALITY AND LEISURE
Keystone Law‘s practice was bolstered in June 2024 with the arrival of hospitality and ESG-focused commercial real estate specialist Nadia Milligan.
LIFE SCIENCES AND HEALTHCARE
Keystone Law is well-equipped to handle IP and clinical negligence mandates and licensing, research, and collaboration agreements.
Key lawyers: Vicky Clark, Rebecca Halford–Harrison.
LONDON PROFESSIONAL NEGLIGENCE
Keystone Law advises on the full regulatory process, whether that be compliance, investigations, disciplinary proceedings, enforcement or prosecutions.
Key lawyer: Jane Howard
NORTH WEST PROFESSIONAL NEGLIGENCE
The Keystone Law team advises companies under investigation, undergoing disciplinary proceedings or dealing with the reputational damage of regulatory processes.
Key lawyers: Frank Maher and Sue Mawdsley
SOUTH WEST: PERSONAL TAX, TRUSTS AND PROBATE
The firm is noted for its Court of Protection offering, with expertise in deputyship processes and statutory will applications.
Key lawyer: Helen Calcutt
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
Commercial Property: Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire – Jo Bewley recognised as a Leading Partner
Construction: South East – David Gwillim is included in The Legal 500 Hall of Fame
Corporate and Commercial: Elsewhere in the East Midlands – Keith Gilbert is recognised as a leading individual
Employment: Employees/Unions – Clive Howard is included in The Legal 500 Hall of Fame
Employment: Employee/Union Firms: North West – Mike Cain recognised as a Next Generation Partner
Employment: Health and Safety: Yorkshire and The Humber – Sarah Taylor is included as a Next Generation Partner
Employment: West Midlands – Nick Jew is recognised as a Leading Partner
Family: East Anglia – Roopa Ahluwalia is recognised as a Leading Partner
M&A: Dee Sian-Bieleman recognised as a Leading Partner
Professional Negligence: North West – Frank Maher is recognised as a Leading Partner