Dispute resolution boutique Keystone Partners was formed by a group of first-generation lawyers who specialise in commercial litigation, international arbitration, construction disputes and contentious regulatory matters. Each partner has a particular focus on different sectors, allowing the team to cover a varied suite of disputes practice areas, and one partner is an Advocate-on-Record of the Supreme Court. The firm also routinely handles contentious energy, technology and trade sector matters. In the past year, its instructions grew in the technology, media and telecommunications law arena and it has multiple panel appointments representing the state of Karnataka in the Central Sales Tax Appellate Authority at New Delhi, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission, the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Competition Commission of India. Keystone has offices in Bengaluru, Mumbai and New Delhi. In the past year, the firm upscaled to handle trials for large-scale international arbitrations and has had some of its partners appointed as advocates in these.
Senior partner Pradeep Nayak leads a nine-partner strong disputes group that includes notable names such as Sita Kapadia, Pritha Srikumar Iyer, Arun Sri Kumar, Sulabh Rewari, Anupama Hebbar and Vikas Mahendra.
One recent highlight was the firm acting for several charities in case involving the filing of a curative petition seeking setting aside of a Supreme Court judgment which looked at the effect of an unstamped contract containing an arbitration agreement. The matter is likely to affect the way Indian courts approach appointment of arbitrators.
Client feedback
“Documentation and representation to the court and panels and research on a particular case are their strengths. They give the right arguments. They study cases well and understand the cases and the client. They are prompt in attending the cases and come with plan in coordination with various stakeholders well. Their drafting skills are good and they engage clients well.”– Real estate
“The team are well versed with NCLT proceedings and they guided us in every step of filing the international arbitration and representing us at hearings.” – Bankruptcy
“Recommend the firm for their drafting and in-court arguments. They explain to clients in detail and also guide us.” – Commercial arbitration
“I would say they are strong at everything: client-oriented advice, flexibility, deep knowledge and great performance.” – Commercial arbitration
“Excellent subject matter knowledge and client management.” – Government and regulatory
“They negotiate for the client and get the client what they need.”– Real estate
“The lawyers understand and prepare the grounds of the case well.” –Bankruptcy
“Advised us on the relevant laws and proactively ensured that no orders were passed by Honourable Courts against us.” – Class actions
“They understand the law and replied in a concise manner. They also honestly advised that we do not need to answer rejoinder notice.”– Commercial and transactions
Aditya Chatterjee
“Very professional approach and inclusive in nature. His knowledge is good over legal matters. Very transparent and comes across very open as a person. Quite impressive in nature.”
Anupama Hebbar
“Subject matter knowledge is expansive.”
“Excellent in strategy and execution.”
“Good listener, adaptive and honest.”
Pradeep Nayak
“Patient, understanding and has good knowledge.”
“Communication skills are excellent.”
Vasudha Sharma
“We appreciated her accessibility, cooperation, flexibility and knowledge, and she is good at strategic design.”
Arun Sri Kumar
“Very knowledgeable, very good communicator and listener.”
“Very quick to understand the issue and has been prompt and effective in providing solutions.”
