Chambers and Partners has released its rankings for 2019, featuring a record number of Keystone lawyers who have been individually recognised 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 rankings and recognised practitioners, in this current edition, can be viewed below:
Aviation: Regulatory – Band 1
Hugh O’Donovan of Keystone Law is regarded as a leading aviation practitioner hailed by market commentators as “the regulatory king”. Clients appreciate his ability to “make difficult concepts easy to understand”.
Construction – Band 2
Louise Garcia is a consultant at Keystone Law and is lauded as “a formidable construction litigator”. She has extensive experience in handling disputes, particularly those in the road and rail sectors.
Construction – Band 3
Martin Howe of Keystone Law is well regarded for his handling of non-contentious work such as procurement strategies and maintenance agreements. Commentators value the depth of his experience, describing him as a “very good, long-standing construction lawyer”.
Defamation/Reputation Management – Band 4
Jonathan Coad of Keystone Law has vast experience handling reputation management and libel disputes for both defendants and claimants. One source describes him as a “stalwart of defamation”, with another stating: “He is a doughty proponent of his clients’ cases.”
Employment: Employer – Band 5
Angharad Harris of Keystone Law has a wealth of experience assisting clients with a wide range of employment law disputes. Sources say, “She always ensures the best advice and that all matters are followed up and completed,” with another adding, “She is very practical and able to steer us through the legal points.”
Employment: Employer – Band 5
Nicholas Tsatsas of Keystone Law is appreciated by clients for his persuasiveness and being someone who is “comfortable in his work and in his views”. He provides a range of employment law services including advice on employment status and contractual issues.
Employment: Senior Executive – Band 3
Paul Daniels of Keystone Law has a broad practice that sees him advising individuals on unfair dismissals, whistleblowing claims and other disputes. His client base includes sporting and financial services sector clients.
Fraud: Civil – Band 4
The “very commercial” Robert Lawrie is a barrister at Keystone Law with notable expertise in commercial litigation and fraud cases. A source notes: “In what was a very complex case in multiple jurisdictions, Robert managed to keep the various lawyers, expert witnesses and clients organised and focused, dealt with any issues diplomatically and provided clear advice to the clients when there was a lot of detail to cover.”
Insurance: Mainly Policyholders – Band 1
Jane Harte-Lovelace of Keystone Law comes recommended as a “very commercial and sensible” practitioner. She has extensive experience across an array of policyholder disputes, including property claims and insurance issues relating to workplace safety.
Intellectual Property – Band 4
Anthony Misquitta of Keystone Law advises organisations large and small on copyright and trade mark matters, and has client followings in the software, technology and creative industries. A client says: “We highly value Anthony’s skills and knowledge and know that he will always respond quickly and efficiently.”
Intellectual Property – Band 2
Will Sander of Keystone Law provides advice and representation on the full span of copyright and trade mark matters.
Intellectual Property – Band 2
Jessica Bent of Keystone Law advises well-known brands and emerging innovators on contentious and commercial IP matters. A client says: “Her advice is nuanced, practical and very much accessible to lay clients. The service that we receive from her is outstanding.”
Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation – Band 4
Rebecca Halford-Harrison of Keystone Law is well known for the quality of her insights and leadership with regard to chemistry-related patent disputes. She is also recommended for commercial and contentious matters involving all core rights.
Licensing – Band 2
Gareth Hughes of Keystone Law is a consultant barrister who draws on notable experience in representing major hospitality clients before licensing committees. “It’s not only his knowledge of the law, but he also knows the right people and knows how to get things done,” enthuses a source.
Licensing – Band 1
Andrew Wong of Keystone Law is known for his ability to obtain licences on behalf of blue-chip clients. “He is a most commercially-minded solicitor whose approach is that of a business entrepreneur rather than a lawyer. He is particularly good at negotiations with authorities and offers first-class strategy advice,” notes a source.
Life Sciences: Transactional – Band 3
Vicky Clark of Keystone Law acts for biotechnology companies in negotiating commercial agreements, such as licensing and research and development collaborations. Clients say: “Vicky is extremely knowledgeable and commercial. She has a relaxed but firm style which helps in tough discussions.”
Partnership: Contentious – Band 3
Peter Garry of Keystone Law has considerable experience in partnership disputes across a wide range of sectors, including legal, private equity and retail matters. Clients praise his “comprehensive knowledge of partnership law” and also add: “His responses were always swift and thorough, and he has an approachable manner.”
Pensions – Band 5
Monica Ma of Keystone Law is “excellent and has the best client knowledge I have ever come across,” according to one impressed source. She advises trustees and sponsors in relation to occupational pensions schemes.
Professional Discipline – Band 3
Jonathan Greensmith of Keystone Law is a regulatory law specialist who acts for solicitors in professional discipline matters. A source states: “He’s good and very knowledgeable.”
Professional Negligence: Mainly Claimant (Recognised Practitioner)
Jonathan Watmough of Keystone Law advises claimants and uninsured defendants in various professional negligence claims and policy disputes. Clients benefit from his experience in defending claims for professional indemnity insurers.
Real Estate Litigation – Band 5
Andrew Tugwell of Keystone Law is a dual-qualified chartered surveyor and is particularly noted for his handling of complex valuation cases and estate agent issues.
Sport: Horse Racing & Equestrian – Band 2
Rachel Flynn of Keystone Law is praised for her “pragmatic and empathetic” approach to horse-racing matters, with sources noting that “she understands this industry inside out and upside-down.”
Telecommunications – Band 1
Consultant for Keystone Law Joanne Wheeler is widely recognised and “incredibly well respected in the satellites space,” according to a series of market commentators.
Travel: Regulatory & Commercial – Band 3
Trevor Sears of Keystone Law is recognised as a “very well-respected” figure in the travel industry, with long-standing experience across a range of commercial and regulatory matters. He is particularly noted for his expertise regarding securities issues.
Offshore: Corporate & Finance – Isle of Man – Band 3
Sally Cranshaw of Keystone Law covers both corporate and finance work and is thought of by clients as “thorough, efficient and technically proficient”. She has recently demonstrated a particular range of skills in handling real estate financing transactions.
Offshore: Corporate & Finance – Isle of Man – Band 3
Geoff Kermeen of Keystone Law is well known among market practitioners for his finance and transactional practice. He has been regularly called upon to handle loan and refinancing agreements, particularly in relation to real estate acquisitions.
Offshore: Employment – Isle of Man Recognised Practitioner
Rachel Berry & Ben Hughes
Offshore: Dispute Resolution – Isle of Man – Band 2
Gillian Christian of Keystone Law is “a real fighter who you want on your side,” according to clients, who add: “She is extremely professional and totally understanding of our business needs.” She is regularly called upon by liquidators, among other clients, and handles commercial disputes, freezing orders and asset recovery.
Offshore: Dispute Resolution – Isle of Man Band 2
Charles Coleman of Keystone Law is well regarded among market sources, who highlight his technical knowledge and work in the trust and tax arenas. One source reports that “he is very knowledgeable of local law and is used to dealing with big international cases and clients,” adding: “He is very personable and easy to get along with.”