Keystone Law has achieved a record number of rankings in the Chambers and Partners guide 2022, showcasing its lawyers across multiple practice areas as experts in their chosen fields.
The directory identifies and ranks the most outstanding practitioners in over 180 jurisdictions throughout the world.
A full list of Keystone’s ranked and recognised practitioners in the current edition can be viewed below:
Art and Cultural Property Law
Lisette Aguilar is highly regarded for her expertise in art-related disputes. She regularly advises dealers, galleries and collectors. One client said: “She is very measured, thorough and takes the time to understand the full picture of a transaction.”
Aviation: Regulatory
‘Senior Statesperson’ James Healy-Pratt has extensive experience acting on behalf of bereaved claimants following international and domestic aircraft accidents. One source commented: “[he is] a well-regarded individual with huge knowledge of the industry.”
Aviation: Regulatory
Hugh O’Donovan is noted for his solid expertise in aviation regulatory issues, with particular strengths in multi-jurisdictional matters. “Hugh is very knowledgeable and has a huge range of experience, which he applies in a very practical way. He is very approachable, very responsive and will always give a clear view on any issue and will robustly defend his client’s position,” says one source.
Banking & Finance: Islamic Finance
Fara Mohammad brings a wealth of experience when advising on Islamic finance transactions. She is particularly regarded for her expertise in Shari’a-compliant products. One client commented: “Fara has been exceptional. She is extremely knowledgeable and responsive.”
Robert Meakin has a focus on assisting religious charities and faith-based organisations. In addition to governance and structural matters, he advises on contentious issues involving the Charity Commission.
Louise Garcia routinely advises contractors, developers and engineering companies on both contentious and non-contentious aspects of construction projects. She can assist with projects of all sizes and has a particular strength in matters concerning transport and infrastructure.
Martin Howe regularly advises an array of clients, including local authorities, universities and contractors, on contractual and procurement aspects of commercial and residential developments.
Corporate/M&A: Mid-Market and Private Equity
Edward Dawes offers his clients well-honed expertise in both commercial and corporate transactions. He is experienced in assisting with acquisitions, takeovers and flotations.
Defamation/Reputation Management
Gerard Cukier is highlighted for his record of handling complex defamation and privacy issues, frequently on behalf of media industry companies and high-profile individuals. One source commented: “he always puts the client’s interests first, taking a long-term view and looking for a practical solution.”
Nicholas Jew has a litigation-focused employment practice and helps clients faced with tribunal and High Court claims. He is notable for his work on disputes involving executive-level employees including terminations, discrimination claims and injunction proceedings.
Keely Rushmore is noted for her expertise in TUPE-related matters, which includes managing redundancy considerations and related issues. She has experience of claims alleging discrimination, unfair dismissal and harassment. One source commented: “Keely Rushmore is very easy to work with, bright and insightful, and good at handling clients in a straightforward way. She has an impressively calm demeanour but will hold her ground.” Another client added: “she completely understands our business, gives strategic responses, engages really well and has shown great commitment to supporting us.”
Employment: Employer
Nicholas Robertson has a practice that encompasses the broad spectrum of issues faced by major employers, including tribunal and High Court proceedings. He has notable expertise in handling whistleblowing, discrimination and harassment claims. One client commented: “his knowledge of employment law knows no bounds, and he can translate that into a very business-focused solution with a rapid turnaround time” and “he has the whole package when it comes to experience and judgement.”
Rob Eldridge is esteemed for his practice encompassing a full range of employment work. His expertise spans contentious High Court claims and policy and advisory matters.”He is tough when he needs to be but he is sensible so you get to the right place,” commented one source.
Employment: Senior Executive
Alexandra Carn is acknowledged for her expertise in the financial services sector. Her expertise in handling employment issues is broad and includes advising on everything from terminations to TUPE. One source said: “she is really strategic, she has great knowledge of the law and she gets great results for clients” and “she is great to work with, she is very focused and she makes sure that the client realises how the matter will play out.”
Paul Daniels represents executives in complex employment disputes including whistleblowing, dismissals and discrimination. He has notable experience acting for senior figures in the sport and financial services sectors. One client commented: “he provides excellent tactical advice on how to handle a case and handles sensitive cases very well” and “he has a really good reputation and is a good negotiator.”
Alistair French offers significant expertise advising senior executives on complex exit agreements. He is well versed in employment matters in the financial services sector. One source said: “he is super responsive, really good with clients and does an excellent job” and “I appreciate how Alistair manages expectations and strives to reach the best outcome.”
Clive Howard offers a wealth of experience in the representation of senior-level employees in critical contentious employment matters. He is well versed in complex unfair dismissal, whistleblowing and discrimination claims. One interviewee commented: “he is an experienced lawyer in employment. He has a great touch with clients and is a steady hand.”
Emma Clark advises high-profile employees on a broad spectrum of work, from senior exit agreements to discrimination claims. “She has lots of experience and is really user-friendly,” said a source.
Jane Wheeler routinely advises senior employees from a broad range of industries. She is skilled at restrictive covenants, tribunal claims and dismissals.
Julie Morris acts for clients on a wide variety of matters including cases of whistleblowing, discrimination and unfair dismissal. One interviewee said: “she is very efficient, very intelligent and, as well as being good on the law, she is very good at strategy and finding a way to get to clients’ objectives. She is also emotionally intelligent to what clients are going through” and “Julie always provides pragmatic and effective guidance and advice, and clearly explains complex legal issues.”
Energy & Natural Resources: Mining: International
Sandra Bates is a noteworthy corporate lawyer with significant experience in the mining sector. She regularly advises private and publicly listed mining companies on M&A transactions and IPOs.
Susan Apthorp represents clients involved in complex divorce and financial remedy proceedings, often with multi-jurisdictional issues. Her practice extends to such child-related matters as relocation and Schedule 1 disputes.
Fraud: Civil
Robert Lawrie is a barrister and head of the fraud team. He handles complex commercial disputes involving serious allegations of fraud, along with associated asset recovery measures, representing companies, shareholder groups and individuals. Praised by sources who said: “Robert is highly intelligent, extremely hard-working and his ability to marshal a case is superb” and “he has incredible negotiating skills, takes very sensible points and is ferocious on the other side.”
Gaming
Richard Williams is noted for his ability to act on contentious gambling matters, as well as advising on operating licences. His client base includes start-ups, casinos and software developers.
Insurance: Mainly Policyholders
Jane Harte-Lovelace represents policyholder clients in disputes with insurers and brokers, as well as providing advice on policy review. She has a particular strength in advising on construction and property-related claims. One source commented, “Jane has excellent organisational and client care skills and is very responsive. She has wise business judgement and considers non-legal aspects on a matter with high emotional intelligence.”
Insurance: Contentious Claims & Reinsurance
James Crabtree primarily represents reinsurers in claims and coverage disputes, as well as advising more broadly on issues pertaining to reinsurance contracts. He received praise from interviewees for being “an absolute expert in his field.” Another added: “He is an exceptionally knowledgeable and meticulous reinsurance practitioner.”
Will Sander is held in high regard for his practice as both a solicitor and a chartered trademark and design attorney. He is well versed in licensing and a broad range of IP disputes, including trademark, designs and copyright infringement litigation.
Jessica Bent advises well-known brands and emerging innovators on contentious and commercial copyright and trade mark matters. She has a significant client following in publishing, with one client commenting: “Jessica Bent is a very good IP lawyer and very pragmatic with it” and “she brings a proactive approach to projects.”
Rebecca Halford-Harrison has a wide-ranging IP practice encompassing patent, trade mark and copyright disputes. She is particularly recommended for litigation concerning chemicals and electronic technologies. One client commented that she is “very smart and creative” and “she is an excellent all-round IP lawyer who covers a wide range of fields and always gets to the heart of the matter.” Another commented: “she doesn’t leave any stone unturned and is formidable in terms of her approach” and “Rebecca is good at geographical indication and has become a guru on that.”
Simon Chalkley is an expert in brand management and licensing and has a large and varied client following, particularly amongst fashion and consumer goods makers. Much of his work has an international dimension.
Gareth Hughes represents prominent clients across London including hotels, bars and clubs. He combines his impressive licensing expertise with a wealth of experience in planning law to advise on a broad range of complex licensing issues. One client commented: “He is a formidable advocate” and “he has encyclopaedic knowledge, and is personable and efficient.”
Niall McCann‘s practice involves acting for high-end clients in the hospitality and entertainment sectors. He frequently advises on licensing applications. One interviewee said: “He is always available, and his legal and commercial advice have been invaluable. He has a quick-thinking brain and is a first-rate advocate” and “his advice has a strong commercial element to it; he gives full and correct legal advice but he is a lawyer with his feet firmly planted on the ground and understands the sector we operate in and the challenges we face.”
Andrew Wong is highly regarded for his work for clients in the entertainment and hospitality sectors. He advises on licence applications and regulatory compliance. “He is exceptionally commercially minded, has excellent judgement and is a huge asset to any client,” said a source.
Life Sciences: Transactional
Vicky Clark advises on research, licensing and collaboration agreements. Her clients include an array of emerging companies working at the forefront of innovation in the sector. A client commented: “Vicky Clark takes the time to explain issues thoroughly from a legal and business perspective, making the impact of contract clauses accessible to the non-expert.”
Offshore: Corporate & Finance in Isle of Man
Sally Cranshaw is well regarded for her work advising financial institutions, investment managers and corporate entities on real estate finance matters. Interviewee commented, “She has excellent response times and is very efficient and knowledgeable. She also understands the client’s requirements” and “She’s great on property finance-related work.”
Offshore: Corporate & Finance in Isle of Man
Geoff Kermeen’s broad practice encompasses both corporate and finance elements. His clients include financial institutions and private equity funds.
Offshore: Dispute Resolution in Isle of Man
Gillian Christian is noted for her broad disputes practice, acting on a variety of matters including professional negligence, liquidation and contentious trust issues. One interviewee commented: “Gillian is an excellent lawyer; she understands the practicalities of a problem as well as the legal issues” and “Gillian was so professional and extremely well informed.”
Offshore: Employment in Isle of Man
Rachel Berry, who is listed as a ‘Associates to watch’ has a growing reputation in the employment and pensions space. She advises clients on everything from day-to-day employment matters to employment disputes.
Partnership: Contentious
Peter Garry has great depth of experience advising clients in the legal and financial services sectors on complex partnership negotiations and disputes. He was praised by an interviewee for being: “very easy to talk to and gives really useful, practical advice” and “he is very good on partnership law.”
Monica Ma has a broad pensions practice and often works with clients on deficit issues and benefit changes. One client commented: “she is knowledgeable and responsive.”
Professional Discipline
Jonathan Greensmith possesses considerable experience in defending solicitors and law firms facing an array of misconduct and disciplinary allegations. He also advises clients on regulatory compliance and policy matters.
Professional Negligence: Mainly Claimant
Jonathan Watmough acts for clients in claims against a variety of professionals, including insurance brokers, solicitors and accountants.
Real Estate Litigation
Andrew Tugwell is noted for his skills as a litigator and arbitrator. He acts for a host of clients including real estate agencies, hotels and investors. One client said: “Andrew has an ability to advise on complex property matters in a way that is understandable and very helpful. He is able to see a path through difficult situations that others have not and create a sensible plan for resolution.” Another added: “his client service is exceptional and he is tireless in his pursuit of a good result for his client.”
Sport: Horse Racing & Equestrian
Rachel Flynn‘s wide-ranging equestrian law practice sees her advice on contentious work, such as veterinary negligence and contractual disputes, as well as commercial and regulatory issues. Clients say: “she stayed very focused on the task at hand and handled some difficult conversations well.”
Practice rankings
Licensing
Keystone’s licensing team represents a range of clients from the hospitality, sport and entertainment industries in a range of licensing matters, including premises and operating licences in cumulative impact zones. The firm also advises on enforcement and compliance issues.
One client said: “One of the essential strengths of the firm is the accessibility and responsiveness of its lawyers. They are eager to help and it shows. I’ve been very impressed with the way they handle our work.”
Notable practitioners: Andrew Wong, Gareth Hughes, Niall McCann and Richard Williams
Employment: Senior Executive
Keystone’s employment team harbours market-leading experts in employment law, with practitioners who are able to guide senior employees through the full range of matters that they face during their careers. Board-level clients regularly seek advice on contentious discrimination and whistleblowing claims as well as senior exits. Keystone’s solicitors have notable expertise across the employment courts, from the Employment Tribunal to the High Court.
One client says: “I trust that I am getting the best advice and counsel available across all areas and it is at a reasonable cost.”
Interviewees also praise the team’s “responsive and solutions-focused” approach.
Notable practitioners: Alexandra Carn, Alistair French, Clive Howard, Emma Clark, Jane Wheeler, Julie Morris, Nicholas Robertson, Paul Daniels and Rob Eldridge
Family/Matrimonial
The firm’s respected family law team has noted expertise in child arrangement disputes and is equipped to handle a range of matters, from jurisdiction disputes and prenuptial agreements to surrogacy issues. Its practitioners also act on Part III claims and financial relief cases involving offshore company structures.
One source called Keystone Law “a fresh, exciting and innovative firm that provides a personal, flexible approach with first-rate service.”
A client also describes the team as “focused and hard-working” and “always bright and thorough.”
Notable practitioners: Susan Apthorp
Construction
Keystone’s skilled team of lawyers advise on both contentious and non-contentious matters. They assist contractors, developers and other clients with construction projects in a range of sectors including hospitality, education and energy. The team handles contractual negotiations as well as representing clients in adjudications and other dispute resolution proceedings.
Notable practitioners: Louise Garcia and Martin Howe
Real Estate – Northern Ireland
Keystone Law Northern Ireland has a growing presence in the real estate market, with extensive experience in commercial property. The firm acts on behalf of clients, including landlords, tenants, property companies and developers, on a wide range of transactional matters and development projects.
One client comments: “The team are professional, knowledgeable and client-focused.”
Notable practitioners: Danny McKay