The list, which is now in its third year, was created by The Times in cooperation with Statista. It comprises the 200 leading legal practices in England and Wales that have been recommended by their peers and clients in one or more of 26 categories of law.

Keystone has one of the largest and most experienced employment teams in the UK with over 40 partners, who each have considerable expertise and experience in advising employers and employees on a range of employment-related issues.

The firm is also noted for its innovative use of technology and modern working practices, which enable lawyers to work from any location, as well as being commended for its strength in attracting high-calibre lawyers from top law firms, its impressive revenue growth in 2019–20 and expanding into the Middle East with the opening of a branch in Abu Dhabi.

In addition to being praised for its top-ranking employment practice, Keystone’s Gerard Cukier is highlighted for completing the negotiation of a new recording deal for Dame Shirley Bassey, who has been his client for more than 30 years.

2020 has been a hugely successful year for the firm, with Keystone winning accolades as a leading law firm. On 3 November, the firm was crowned Law Firm of the Year at The Lawyer Awards 2020. It is the first time in the awards’ 26-year history that the top prize has been handed to a non-traditional law firm and cements Keystone’s reputation as pioneer in the legal sector. It was also highly ranked in The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partner directories, achieving its best results to date with 31 practice areas ranked, 92 individual lawyer mentions, 12 Leading Individual acknowledgements, and 4 Next Generation Partners recognitions.