Keystone Law has made 20 lateral partner and senior lawyer hires in recent months, including a team from Hogan Lovells and former practice heads from firms including Pinsent Masons and Sheridans.

The new hires will work across Keystone’s sports, disputes, life sciences, construction, employment, commercial, insurance and IP practices and bring its total number of senior solicitors to 160.

Keystone managing partner James Knight said: “This wave of fantastic hires across a range of practice areas is a testament to the success of the ‘law set free’ campaign and further proof that Keystone continues to attract only the highest-quality lawyers.”

The firm launched a recruitment drive at the end of last year to “entice high-quality senior lawyers away from the confines of conventional legal practice”, said a spokesperson, following a £3.15m cash injection from private equity house Root Capital last year.

The firm joined a growing number of ABSs to have taken private equity backing when it converted in 2013, clearing the path for external investment.

Joining the firm is:

  • Morris Bentata from Sherridans (Sports)
  • Stuart Hill and Hinko Kostanjevec from Hogan Lovells (Dispute Resolution)
  • Barrister Rob Lawrie from Howard Kennedy (Dispute Resolution)
  • Paul Ranson from Pinsent Masons (Life Sciences)
  • Peter Jansen from Penningtons Manches (Construction)
  • Dilek Kahraman from Simmons & Simmons (Commercial)
  • Andrew Hignett from Lester Aldridge (Planning)
  • Barry Maytum from Field Seymour Parkes (Corporate)
  • Rachel Flynn from Taylor Vinters (Equine and Sports)
  • Ian Down from Hamlins (Brand Management and IP)
  • Diederik van Lede from Virtual Law (Corporate)
  • Rebecca Tinham from Banks Kelly (Dispute Resolution)
  • Wyn Morgan from Red Kite Law (Employment)
  • Robert Wharton from Foot Antsey (Corporate)
  • Michelle Last from Stevens & Bolton (Employment)
  • Raymond Levine from Maxwell Winward LLP (Property)
  • Mason from iLaw (Employment)
  • Barrister and solicitor Dawn Mullins from Watmores (Insurance)
  • Moray Hughes from Miller Rosenfalck (Dispute Resolution)