Keystone gets growth plan under way with hires from Salans and Thomas Eggar

The firm has added real estate partner Nick Ellis, who joins from Salans, where he was a partner, and family specialist Shashi Sachdeva, who joins from Thomas Eggar, where she was a partner.

Also joining Keystone are former Lewis Silkin consultant Marcus O’Leary, who joins the technology team, and Patrick Pennal, who joins the commercial litigation practice from Blake Lapthorn, where he was a consultant. Hillary Pennington-Mellor will also join the family team from QualitySolicitors Redkite, where she was a consultant.

In July managing partner James Knight set out plans to recruit 50 lawyers within the next six months to underpin growth of the firm (12 July 2012).

The aim is to hit £25m within the next three years, which would represent growth of 123 per cent.

“We’re delighted to be able to announce five new recruits in October alone, although there are plenty more in the pipeline too,” Knight said of the hires. “These lawyers are in their career prime and simply looking to move forward with greater autonomy, flexibility and financial reward. We look forwarding to turning these expectations into a living reality.”

Keystone’s clients include ING Real Estate, Lloyds Pharmacy, LoveFilm, and Neal’s Yard.