Keystone Law

Keystone Law has announced the arrival of ten new appointments to the firm, eight of whom were former partners at major international law firms.

Robert Kilgour (pictured) has joined from his prior position as partner at Charles Russell Speechlys. He is an expert in real estate investment, and regularly advises listed companies, overseas investors and high net worth individuals on portfolio acquisitions and disposals, as well as providing insight into Islamic finance issues.

Former partner with Knights Tom Phillips has come on board as a construction specialist. He offers particular expertise in non-contentious matters within construction, development and finance law, including advising on high-value mixed-use development projects.

Philippe Ruttley was previously the head of EU and competition law at Ince & Co. He advises a wide range of aviation and maritime clients on matters spanning competition, international trade and the GDPR. He is a national of both Switzerland and the UK, and works in English and French.

Disputes specialist Dharmendra Nair was formerly a partner at Squire Patton Boggs. He focuses his practice on shipping, commodities and commercial litigation, and primarily acts for clients based in India, Singapore and Bangladesh.

Previously a partner at Thomas Cooper, George Lambrou is an expert in international dispute resolution. He is a solicitor advocate and focuses mainly on arbitration cases, including those involving governments, commercial entities and individuals. He offers particular knowledge of maritime cases, and is a fluent Russian speaker.

Martin Brown, a former partner at Addleshaw Goddard, was also the head of the firm’s Qatar practice. A banking and finance specialist, he regularly acts for financial institutions, sponsors and corporate borrowers, and is highly experienced advising on both English and Qatari law, as well as Islamic finance.

Corporate and commercial lawyer Oleg Shvander was previously a partner with Withers LLP. He specialises in advising on transactional mandates, including M&A deals, and particularly those within the energy, technology, telecommunications and natural resources sectors.

Elizabeth Holden, a former partner of Slaughter and May, advises entrepreneurs and growth companies on matters including fund raising, shareholder issues and governance structures. She is also experienced in handling international M&A deals on behalf of major companies and private equity funds.

Disputes lawyer Gagan Ranu previously headed the India desk at Lewis Silkin. He provides expertise in litigation and international arbitration, in addition to mediation, and focuses the majority of his work on cases involving India and the Middle East.

Finally, family specialist Caroline Kelly has moved to the firm from Mishcon de Reya. She advises on all areas of family law, spanning divorce, financial disputes stemming from relationship breakdown, cohabitation and civil partnerships. She also offers expertise in children law.

Keystone Law’s CEO and founder, James Knight, commented: ‘As the legal sector continues to evolve and technology begins to play a more significant part in the way that firms operate, our ongoing mission is simply to offer the most flexible, agile approach for our lawyers and their clients and we are pleased that these individuals have chosen to join us on that mission. Each of them will play a key role in supporting the firm’s growth as we build on our strength as a growing, national firm with an increasingly genuine full-service offering.’