Legal 500 has named Stone King a top-tier law firm for 2026 in seven practice areas. Image above: CEO, Vicky Brackett
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 the firm’s charities and not-for-profit practice in London, the South West, and Yorkshire. Also in receipt of this highly regarded accolade is its education practice in the West Midlands and London. In addition, its transport practice and general crime and fraud practice, both in the South West, have received the top ranking.
Stone King has been highly ranked in a further 11 practice areas, and 51 of its people 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 in the 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
This year, Legal 500’s coveted Hall of Fame has admitted six well-deserving Stone King people: 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.
Stone King operates nationally with offices in Bath, Birmingham, Cambridge, Leeds, London and Manchester. It specialises in the business & social enterprise, charity, education, faith, private client, and public & regulatory sectors.