Legal 500 once again identifies Stone King as top-tier law firm

We are so pleased that Legal 500 has named Stone King a top-tier law firm for 2026 in seven practice areas.

An independent research guide, Legal 500 analyses the legal sector by regions. This year, top-tier rankings, which are held in high esteem across the legal profession, have been awarded to our charities and not-for-profit practice in London, the South West, and Yorkshire. Also in receipt of this highly regarded accolade is our education practice in the West Midlands and London. In addition, our transport practice and our general crime and fraud practice, both in the South West, have received the top ranking.

The firm has been highly ranked in a further 11 practice areas, and we are delighted that 51 Stone King lawyers have received mentions for their standout contribution to their practice area.

Stone King has also been recognised by Legal 500 as a Firm to Watch for 2026 in the following practice areas: education (West Midlands); education (North West); administrative and public law (London); and professional discipline (London). This means that Legal 500’s researchers have identified Stone King as being among the most promising legal firms in the UK.

Vicky Brackett, the firm’s CEO, said:

"It’s incredibly rewarding to see the firm and so many of our talented colleagues recognised in this year’s Legal 500 rankings. As someone who is still relatively new to Stone King, I’ve already seen firsthand the depth of expertise, care, and commitment our teams bring to every client relationship. This independent recognition is a powerful endorsement of the trust our clients place in us and the impact of our work. I’m proud to be part of a firm where excellence is not just a standard, but a shared value."

Stone King has also been highly ranked by Legal 500 in the following areas:

East Anglia:

• Immigration
• Corporate and commercial

South West:

• Education
• Commercial litigation (Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire)
• Commercial property (Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire)
• Employment (Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire)
• Family
• Contentious trusts and probate
• Personal tax, trusts and probate

Yorkshire:

• Education
• Employment (Leeds and West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire)

This year, Legal 500’s coveted Hall of Fame has admitted six well-deserving Stone King lawyers: Julian Blake, Partner; Graham Burns, Partner; Melanie Carter, Partner and Head of Public and Regulatory; Rosamund McCarthy Etherington, Partner and Head of Charity; Ann Phillips, Consultant; and Tim Rutherford, Partner.

Several Partners across our offices are named as Leading Partners: Laura Berman; Michael Brotherton; Ciara Campfield; Julie Moktadir; Tom Murdoch; Andrew Banks; Melanie Carter; Caroline Fell; Richard Freeth; and Matthew Graham.

Six Leading Associates have also been recognised in Louise Castle, Alexandra Steffensen, Adam McRae-Taylor, Sam Dowgill, James Barratt and Nicholas Wragg.

Stone King’s results can be viewed in full here.