Cooke, Young & Keidan (CYK) once again shines in The Legal 500 rankings

Cooke, Young & Keidan (CYK), a leading specialist disputes law firm, has reaffirmed its position as one of the UK’s foremost disputes practices with recognition in The Legal 500 UK 2026. The firm is ranked in Tier 3 for Civil Fraud, Banking Litigation, and Commodities Disputes, with further rankings in Financial Services (Contentious) Tier 4 , Premium Commercial Litigation Tier 5, and International Arbitration Tier 5.

The firm’s individual lawyers have also been celebrated for their exceptional expertise:

• Leading Partners: Sinead O’Callaghan, Lydia Danon, Jon Felce, and Stephen Elam
• Next Generation Partners: Natalie Todd and Mikhail Vishnyakov – described as having “exceptional expertise” and an ability to deliver “the most feasible solutions”
• Lawyers to Note: Partners Sam Roberts and Rosie Wild, and senior associate Liz Meade
• Other Recognition: Kajal Patel, praised as “an excellent senior associate” who is “client-focused and tenacious”

Sinead O’Callaghan, Managing Partner at Cooke, Young & Keidan, says:

“We are proud to see CYK recognised once again by The Legal 500. These rankings are a reflection of our lawyers’ hard work and expertise, and of the trust our clients place in us to handle their most complex disputes. We remain committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for our clients.”

These results reinforce CYK’s reputation for excellence across the disputes landscape, with the firm continuing to stand out for its specialist strength and outstanding client service.

Comments from clients and other legal professionals quoted in the Legal 500 included:

• ‘CYK is highly specialised in disputes, with a highly qualified team at all levels. Even the junior members of the team have great depth of knowledge and experience of high level litigation and arbitration.’
• ‘The team is professional yet very approachable and flexible. Willing to accommodate clients’ needs and trying to be innovative and strategic. They are not only offering legal advice but also having commercial and business sense.’
• ‘The CYK team has strong expertise in commercial litigation including in the commodities field. They are robust and tactical litigators.’
• ‘The team is highly responsive and experienced, delivering exceptional client service and support at every stage. The firm’s sector knowledge and dispute resolution experience make it a go-to for complex cases.’
• ‘Cooke, Young & Keidan LLP stands out as a leading boutique disputes firm, renowned for its ability to handle high-value, complex and often international litigation and arbitration. Unlike larger, full-service firms, CYK operates a conflict-free model, enabling it to act against major financial institutions and multinational corporations—a significant differentiator in the market. The firm is known for its tenacity, innovation, and partner-led service, offering commercial and practical solutions in an agile and creative manner.’
• ‘CYK have carved out a real niche for themselves. They are able to provide commercial law expertise to rival any of their larger competitors. And yet they do so at a fraction of the cost. They are a true boutique outfit.’