Matthew Hind

Posted on: January 31st, 2025 by Natasha Cox

I am a Director in the Commercial Real Estate team, specialising in general commercial real estate with a mixture of investment, development, finance, occupier, and management work.

I also have has considerable experience dealing with distressed real estate on behalf of banks and insolvency practitioners.

Experience

  • Acting on the acquisition of a portfolio of 15 mixed tenure petrol filling stations for a roadside retail operator.
  • Acting on the acquisition and development of numerous new to industry petrol filling station sites for a roadside retail operator.
  • Acting for various impact investors on multi-million pound rolling programmes of portfolio acquisitions of residential multi-let properties to be leased to charities who specialise in rehousing ex-offender, ex-military personnel, the homeless and other vulnerable groups to be sub-sold and held by a fund to ensure the continued and long term use of the properties for social housing purposes.
  • Acting on the pre-let and forward sale of a Travelodge hotel.
  • Acting on the pre-let, development and subsequent investment sales of numerous retail, industrial and office sites.
  • Acting for a manufacturer on its land acquisition and subsequent development and financing of a bespoke distribution warehouse facility.
  • Acting for liquidators on the disposal of a portfolio of over 140 freehold and leasehold pubs.
  • Acting for administrators on the disposal of 5 mixed tenure business parks and associated management company structure.
  • Acting for a hedge fund relocating to newly built office accommodation in the city and exiting them from their existing lease arrangements.
  • Acting on numerous institutional office lettings for a leading developer and investor.

Lefteris Kallou

Posted on: January 31st, 2025 by Natasha Cox

I am an Associate within the Dispute Resolution department. I specialise in commercial litigation, director and shareholder disputes, contentious insolvency and fraud.

I have a strong track record of achieving favourable outcomes for my clients in a cost-effective manner, with many clients either returning or their professional advisers (whom I work alongside) recommending me to their clients. 

Clients want to understand where they stand early on including the risks, rewards and costs; I tailor a strategy to achieve their desired outcome whilst also advising on commercial considerations they may have overlooked. 

Prior to joining Lawrence Stephens I worked at a City boutique where I was involved in numerous matters which created case authority, and in HMRC’s Strategic Litigation department where I was involved in the £1bn Ingenious litigation.

Outside of the office I enjoy spending my time with my growing family, watching Arsenal, going to the gym and trying new restaurants. 

Experience highlights

  • Defending different categories of directors (de jure and de facto) against a liquidator’s claim for breach of duties, misfeasance, and dishonest assistance which created case law and was set for a cross-appeal before reaching a favourable settlement.
  • Pursuing bankruptcy against a solicitor under the Insolvent Partnership Order 1994 and making a full recovery of £150,000 plus legal costs.
  • Ensuring that the construction of a significant development in Europe was not interrupted following a dispute over the validity of a payment on demand clause in a funding loan agreement (worth over £100million).
  • Concluding HMRC’s enquiry into a Research & Development tax relief claim (worth £5.5million) without amendments to my client’s tax return after sending two letters.
  • Obtaining a freezing order on behalf of liquidators against various entities in a £14million art fraud.
  • Preventing an UHNW client’s rare car collection worth over £20million being sold at auction by receivers following a default on a loan repayment.
  • Concluding Insolvency Service investigations into directors regarding potential disqualification before proceedings are issued.
  • Obtaining a money judgment on behalf of a law firm and successfully defending a counterclaim for professional negligence following a five-day trial.
  • Acting for a defendant and obtaining a security for costs order against the claimant, striking out their claim, obtaining charging orders over the claimant’s properties, and applying for the claimant’s property be sold at auction so that the proceeds could be paid to the defendant.

Ulyana Habka

Posted on: December 20th, 2024 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens in January 2024 and currently in the Real Estate team.

Having previously worked at a city law firm and dealing with all aspects of residential and commercial property, I have experience in commercial and residential property, including working for borrowers, property developers and lenders.

I am committed to personal and professional development and keen to enhance my legal knowledge within real estate and am currently studying LLM LPC part time after successfully completing my GDL at BPP University.

In addition to my law degree, I have a degree in veterinary medicine and previously practiced as a veterinary surgeon.

Having also previously own my own business, I am able to view situations from a business perspective, understand client’s needs and tailor my advice with an analytical and entrepreneurial approach.

Outside of work, I play tennis, enjoy swimming, love traveling and exploring new places, relaxing in nature and am keen to join a rowing club soon.

Natasha Ali

Posted on: December 12th, 2024 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens as a Real Estate Finance Solicitor in 2024, following my qualification at a West End firm in 2022. I advise clients on a wide range of real estate transactions, including property acquisitions and disposals, refinancing and restructuring, secured lending, and commercial and residential mortgages. My approach centres on building strong relationships by working closely with clients to understand their unique needs and long-term objectives.

Outside of work, I enjoy playing tennis, taking Reformer Pilates classes, and exploring new restaurants.

Experience highlights

  • Acting for a lender in providing a £9 million facility to a BVI Company that was acquiring nine off plan residential units in Central London.
  • Acting for a borrower in the acquisition of a mixed-use property using bridging finance for a sum of £1.2 million.
  • Acting for a landlord in granting a new lease for a retail unit outside of the 1954 Act and completing within a week.
  • Acting on behalf of a borrower and lender in a limited company’s restructure.
  • Acting on behalf of a landlord in granting a lease to a care home.  

     

     

Roberto Francis

Posted on: December 6th, 2024 by Natasha Cox

I am a Senior Associate in the Real Estate Disputes Department having joined Lawrence Stephens in December 2024.

I join the firm with extensive experience acting for bridging and alternative lenders with a primary focus on secured and unsecured recoveries, which includes but is not limited to possession claims, receivership, insolvency and professional negligence.

I like to take a down to earth approach and develop strong relationships with clients, thereby ensuring that their needs and expectations are at the forefront of my mind when progressing any given matter.

Outside of work, I am a fitness enthusiast and enjoy going to the gym and running.  Over recent years I have taken part in a number of runs. When I am not training I love all things food related and like eating out with friends and family.

Experience highlights

  • Successfully obtaining a vesting order in favour of a lender
  • Acting for a lender in the settlement of a professional negligence claim prior to the issue of proceedings

Lisa Goder

Posted on: December 6th, 2024 by Natasha Cox

I am an Associate in the Real Estate Finance Department at Lawrence Stephens.

I have a wealth of experience in both commercial property and real estate finance and have acted for landlords and tenants, investors, developers and lenders on a variety of property related transactions.

My understanding of the London property market and my commitment to delivering tailored solutions for my clients have earned me a strong reputation in the legal sector.

I am recognised for my experience with complex and time sensitive transactions and my clients appreciate my practical and commercial based approach and trust in my ability to get the transaction completed swiftly and efficiently.

Experience highlights

  • Acting for a borrower on a complex £7 million purchase of a commercial site with bridging finance.
  • Acting for a borrower on the re-finance of a large portfolio of residential and mixed use properties with a value of £5 million.
  • Acting for a borrower in connection with the purchase of a residential development site for £3 million with development finance
  • Acting for a borrower in connection with the purchase of a residential development site with finance and the subsequent sale of each unit

Lawrence Kelly

Posted on: February 10th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I qualified in 1990 and, after partnership in a major West End firm of solicitors, formed Lawrence Stephens with Steven Bernstein and Stephen Messias in 1997.

I am a Solicitor Advocate and am qualified to appear in all UK courts. I have a wide range of expertise in commercial litigation and dispute resolution, acting for a diverse range of clients including high profile entrepreneurs, international clients in the fields of sport and entertainment and their agents, company directors, shareholders and corporate entities of all sizes.

I am recommended in the 2024 edition of the Spear’s 500 guide in their corporate, litigation and dispute resolution section.

Examples of my areas of practice include:

  • Breach of contract claims
  • Professional negligence
  • Individual and corporate insolvency (including IVA, CVA and business restructuring)
  • Breach of directors’ duties
  • Shareholder disputes
  • Partnership disputes
  • Civil fraud and asset tracing/recovery (including crypto assets)
  • Intellectual property (including copyright, trademarks and passing off)
  • Regulatory and compliance (including Financial Conduct Authority/PIA)
  • Spread betting/CFDs and other gambling disputes
  • Sports tribunal matters (including Rule K arbitrations representing players and Registered Intermediaries)
  • Contentious probate
  • HMRC enquiries
  • Criminal investigations, including fraud and private prosecutions

I have acted as an accredited supervisor within the Legal Services Commission Specialist Fraud Panel and am a former member of the VHCC Appeals Panel.

I have two children and live in London and Kent.  My non-legal interests include skiing, hiking, sailing, cookery and art.