The Legal 500, one of the most prestigious reviewers of legal service providers, has recognised Keystone Law as outstanding, in a number of different areas.
In particular, the firm’s ‘good knowledge, fast responses and good value’ was highlighted. In addition, a number of Keystone Law’s teams received industry acknowledgement in the directory which provides peer and client reviews for law firms. Not only did the firm garner rankings in new areas, it received excellent feedback at the same time.
Keystone’s Commercial Contracts team was ranked in tier 6, alongside the likes of Clifford Chance and Mishcon de Reya. The firm has a number of commercial specialists with a quality client following. Lyndsay Gough, who acts for longstanding client the Trading Standards Institute; and Liyen McCoy, former general counsel at Yahoo! UK, all garnered a mention.
Meanwhile, the Commercial Property team was placed in tier 7, together with Kennedys and Weil, Gotshaw & Manges. Nick Ellis was noted as having advised Prime City Centre Developments on three London projects with a combined value of £61m. In addition his work from MacDonald Egan, on the £105m purchase of a site near Blackhorse Road for mixed-use development, was also cited.
Keystone’s Planning team was ranked in Tier 6 with Slaughter and May and Olswang. Notable cases in the past year have included advising Barwood LaSalle Land on the planning side to a major urban extension of 3,000 homes plus substantial business development. Consultants Oliver Goodwin, Ben Garbett and David Evans were all singled out with recommendations.
A busy year for the Sports team culminated with the arrival of ‘leader’ Morris Bentata from Sheridans. He was described as the ‘first point of call for many clients’, giving ‘advice geared to what each individual needs. Meanwhile the team as a whole made Tier 5, alongside Addleshaw Goddard LLP and Baker & McKenzie LLP
In Aviation and Travel, Keystone’s ‘strong industry knowledge’ and ‘very high level of service’ was commended. The teams made Tier 5 and Tier 3 respectively with Trevor Sears and Alex Ferrari both recommended. Notable Keystone clients for the year include IATA, Delta Airlines, Airline Handling International and Blue Cube Travel.
The Shipping team was positioned alongside DWF and Eversheds, in Tier 6, with Daniel Crockford and Alex Penberthy cited as ‘very personable’ – having acted for clients such as Sunderland Marine, Amlin, R&Q Marine Services and Sarnia Yachts.
Finally the Partnership and Commercial Litigation teams both made the cut, in Tier 5 and Tier 7, in the company of Clyde & Co LLP, King & Wood Mallesons, Russell-Cooke LLP and Withers LLP.
Managing Director of Keystone, James Knight, commented,
“I’m delighted that, once again, our commitment to providing only the best possible service has been recognised. To be ranked in such a variety of areas tops off a seriously exciting year for Keystone. Our thanks, as always, go to the clients and contacts who participated in the research process.”