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Nickhil Mandora

Posted on: January 31st, 2025 by Natasha Cox

I am a Director in the Commercial Real Estate team, having joined Lawrence Stephens from Memery Crystal in 2025.  

I act for a wide variety of clients ranging from retail landlords and tenants, to institutional lenders and property developers. I have a particular experience in industrial properties acting for both buyers and sellers. I pride myself on my ability to understand a client’s motivations and priorities within a transaction.

Outside work, I am a a sports fan and play football, tennis and cricket. I also enjoy cooking and travelling (sometimes at the same time).

Experience

  • Assisted on the purchase of a property in Liverpool for £68million.
  • Led the refinancing of 9 properties in Central London with a loan amount of £15million.
  • Part of a small team that acted on the purchase of a commercial site in Oxford for £13million.
  • Acted on the sale of a Science Retail Park for £45million.
  • Led on the purchase of numerous industrial properties ranging from £500,000 – £8million
  • Acted on behalf of a well-known money exchange company on numerous leases throughout central London with rents ranging from £75,000 per annum to £1.2million per annum.

John Aynsley

Posted on: January 31st, 2025 by Natasha Cox

I am a Director in the Commercial Real Estate team, where I specialise in the acquisition, disposal, development, regeneration, financing, and management of high-value assets in commercial real estate, John acts for clients ranging from international real estate funds and listed house builders to private investors.

I joined Lawrence Stephens in 2025, having spent four years at Memery Crystal and seven years at sister brand Rosenblatt.

Experience

  • Acting for a listed house builder on numerous strategic land acquisitions and serviced land parcel sales.
  • Acting for a UK real estate investment group with a motor-trade focus on the disposal of a portfolio of 16 car dealerships.
  • Acting for a private overseas investor on the acquisition of a Mayfair property for a luxury mixed-use development.
  • Advising a Fortune 500 payment technology company on the letting and fit-out of their UK headquarters.
  • Acting on the pre-let, development and subsequent investment sales of numerous retail, industrial and office sites.
  • Advising a corporate finance advisory on the office acquisition and fit-out of an office floor in the Shard.
  • Acting on the acquisition of a portfolio of 40 mixed tenure petrol filling stations 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 personal, 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.

Chris Cagney

Posted on: January 31st, 2025 by Natasha Cox

I am a Director in the Commercial Real Estate team, having joined Lawrence Stephens from Memery Crystal in January 2025. 

I have extensive experience in a range of commercial real estate matters including acquisitions and disposals and landlord and tenant matters, as well as advising on development projects and property finance transactions. I also have many years of experience assisting residential real estate clients, specialising in the London prime central market.

Experience

  • Acted on the purchase of a mixed use, occupied (serviced offices and hostel) building in Kensington.
  • Acted for a buyer on the purchase of a Grade II Listed building in Belgravia, a development site to be converted into luxury apartments.
  • Acted for a tenant being granted a 10-year lease of three-level office space in a prestigious, newly renovated Mayfair building.
  • Assisted a corporate client on the sale of a care home site in Walthamstow.
  • Acted for a corporate client, advising on property matters, in respect of a castle purchase in Shropshire.
  • Advises the owners of a London based organic produce store with multiple sites across London.

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.

Sam Silverman

Posted on: January 31st, 2025 by Natasha Cox

I am a director in the Commercial Real Estate team, having joined Lawrence Stephens from Memery Crystal in January 2025.

I have gained extensive commercial property experience across a wide range of areas including development, pre-lettings, acquisitions and disposals, international project management, joint ventures and landlord and tenant matters.

Throughout my career, I have acted for major international and domestic clients including developers, funds, corporate occupiers and supermarkets within the office, industrial and retail sectors.

Angela McCarthy

Posted on: October 8th, 2024 by Hugh Dineen-Lees

I am a Senior Associate in the Commercial Real Estate Department, having joined Lawrence Stephens in 2021.  I have extensive experience in a range of property transactions, and a particular interest in investment property, commercial landlord and tenant matters and corporate support work (particularly in connection with the purchase and sale of commercial entities). 

I have acted for well-known retailers and restaurants in the acquisition of new premises and the negotiation of lease renewals, deeds of variation, assignments, licences and wayleave agreements.  I also act for landlords in connection with portfolio management and the preparation and negotiation of sub-leases.

The best part of my role is building strong, supportive and lasting relationships with clients.  I enjoy getting to know clients and their business strategies and my advice is always straightforward, commercial and tailored to the person or entity seeking it. 

In my spare time, I can regularly be found at one the many gig and concert venues in London, as live music is my absolute kryptonite.  I’m also a regular on the netball court and love a good runaround with my wonderful teammates. 

Sophie Levitt

Posted on: October 8th, 2024 by Hugh Dineen-Lees

I joined Lawrence Stephens’ Commercial Real Estate team in 2024.

My experience ranges from advising institutional funds, governmental entities and luxury brands, to restaurants and hotels. I have worked on behalf of both landlord and tenants, as well as on acquisitions, disposals and property management.

I enjoy building strong relationships with clients and invest time in getting to know their business needs, to ensure a commercial and practical approach to transactions.

Outside of work I love to go to fashion and art exhibitions and I enjoy sports and fitness. I also enjoy travelling and have lived in France and Spain.

Stephen Dodge

Posted on: October 2nd, 2024 by Hugh Dineen-Lees

I joined Lawrence Stephens in September 2024 as a trainee solicitor after completing a law conversion course at City, University of London with First Class Honours.

I grew up in Toronto, Canada and in 2017 obtained a Bachelor of Commerce, specialising in strategic management with a minor in economics at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management.

Prior to changing careers to work in law, I was Chief Operating Officer of a biotechnology startup that developed AI systems to treat and manage diabetes.

Before joining Lawrence Stephens, I worked as a pro bono paralegal for a West London charity where I conducted several successful benefits appeals with clients living with serious physical and mental disability. 

In my spare time I enjoy running, cycling and rock climbing.

Krysha Hunt

Posted on: August 14th, 2024 by Hugh Dineen-Lees

I am a Senior Associate in the Commercial Real Estate team, having joined the firm in 2024.

I have extensive experience working on behalf of both landlord and tenants, acquisitions and disposals and property management. I also have experience working with hospitality clients in relation to the acquisition or disposal of hotels, restaurants and pubs and work closely alongside other departments to provide a comprehensive service.

I enjoy building relationships with clients and getting to know their focus to ensure a collaborative and commercial approach to transactions.

Outside of work I enjoy anything fitness related and ran the Paris half marathon in March 2024. I also enjoy travelling and have been fortunate to experience living in Singapore and Dubai.

Experience highlights:

  • Acting on behalf of a technology tenant to agree a lease of at a high-profile Central London building with a rent exceeding £1.5m per annum.
  • Acting on behalf of a hospitality client to acquire and subsequently refinance target properties across the UK for an initial portfolio value of circa £15m.
  • Acting for a landlord in respect of a lease of a serviced office block to an internet giant.

Gunduz Misiri

Posted on: November 6th, 2023 by Yvonne Uzoka

I have been a qualified solicitor since 2011, specialising in the fields of residential and commercial property. My practice encompasses representing a diverse clientele, including buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants in the acquisition and disposal of both commercial and residential property.

Notably, I have had the privilege of representing prominent retail clients in the acquisition of multiple retail units in Central London. These transactions predominantly involve leasehold arrangements with properties acquired from landlords in London, including the Crown Estate Commissioners.

My client portfolio extends to various industries, with successful transactions involving the acquisition and disposition of establishments such as restaurants, nightclubs, golf courses, dry cleaners and various high street shops.

In addition, my services extend to the residential property market, covering a wide spectrum of property types, from high-value transactions to shared ownership agreements and remortgages, involving both freehold and leasehold arrangements.

My practice is underpinned by an extensive understanding of the property market and the unique needs of my clients. I take immense pride in delivering clear, commercially astute advice and unwavering support to my clients.

Experience highlights

  • Acting on a £25m refinance of nine supermarkets
  • Acting for a client in the sale of three freehold warehouses for a total purchase price of £43m
  • Acting on the purchase of a well-known nightclub in central London – satisfying the requirements of the landlords prior to the licence to assign being granted and successfully negotiating the return of the rent deposit
  • Acting on the purchase of a £4m freehold warehouse on an industrial estate
  • Acting on the purchase of a £6m leasehold apartment in central London
  • Acting for a high-net-worth client on the acquisition of several well-known high-end male grooming stores in central London

Claire Allan

Posted on: August 7th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

As an award-winning enfranchisement specialist, I advise leaseholders and landlords in this complex field, navigating them through the statutory lease extension or collective enfranchisement process.

I have acted on some significant prime central London enfranchisements.  I provide practical advice to property owners, family offices, developers, investors, international and local corporates, high-net-worth individuals, private equity firms, sellers, purchasers, lenders and borrowers – particularly those on the London Landed Estates such as Cadogan Estate, Grosvenor Estate, John Lyon’s Charity Estate and Wellcome Trust.  I provide added value to my clients by being able to advise on all aspects of enfranchisement – a true hybrid of non-contentious and contentious work. 

Drawing on an expansive range of experience, I have a track record of leading, structuring and executing complicated enfranchisement transactions for a broad spectrum of clients.  I combine a deep understanding of the law, based on more than 15 years’ experience, with a willingness to develop creative solutions for her clients.  As a thoughtful strategist and a tenacious champion of my clients’ interests, I have attracted a host of respected clients. 

I have extensive experience in handling transactions against special categories of landlord including Ecclesiastical landlords and the Crown.  I further advise on vesting orders in relation to missing/absent landlord claims.

Experience highlights 

  • Acquiring the freehold of a prestigious block of flats from a central London freehold estate together with an intermediary leasehold interest and porter’s flat. Negotiating the freehold transfer deed free from onerous restrictive covenants
  • Structuring and advising on a valuable house claim so as to obtain the freehold under the Leasehold Reform Act 1967
  • Leading and successfully completing on a 115 flat collective claim in one of London’s Royal boroughs

Stephen Messias

Posted on: February 13th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

As a founding partner of Lawrence Stephens with over 30 years’ experience, I bring a wealth of knowledge to the firm in all aspects of commercial and residential real estate, as well as landlord and tenant transactions.

My clients are a sophisticated mix of property companies, individual investors, property traders and trading businesses occupying properties for the purposes of their business as well as individuals.  There’s no such thing as a typical deal.  My transactions can range from the purchase or sale of a commercial investment, the refinancing of property portfolios, commercial lettings whether acting for landlords or tenants, complex acquisitions with lease re-gear and back-to-back sale, as well as residential transactions.

My clients are largely entrepreneurial, running their own businesses and seeking sound, speedy, creative advice and input from us as their solicitor.

Whether transactions are complex, urgent or routine, I like to work with clients in a commercial and pragmatic way to ensure a satisfactory and positive outcome.  Many of my clients have been clients since day one, a testament to the quality of service and advice I strive to provide.

As a result of exceptional work ethic and dedication to my clients, I have been listed as a recommended property lawyer in the prestigious Spear’s 500 list for 2023.

Life is not all about work – I am a keen runner (half –marathons and marathons), having raised funds for various charities and an active Freemason.  I have been married to my wife, Jane, for over 30 years and we have three wonderful children, none of which are following in my footsteps by pursuing a career in law.  Maybe they’ll be clients of mine one day.

Experience highlights

  • Acting for the Epic Group of Companies as landlord on various lettings of commercial premises in various Grade A buildings around the country
  • Acting on a £31m sale of a property previously used as a waste management, recycling and skip hire site, located in North West London. The transaction was a complex and high-value sale
  • Purchase of a £13.5m apartment in Central London for a long standing HNW client
  • Purchase of a freehold investment property let to Santander, subsequent lease surrender, re-letting and refinancing of the property
  • Sale of an office campus investment for £36.7m comprising part of a larger site and the subsequent sale of the remainder of the site in various parcels
  • The purchase of a residential development site and sales of the completed units working with our construction department throughout these transactions
  • The letting of restaurant premises to a high-end restaurant operator as part of a number of lettings in a mixed-use (office, retail and restaurant) city centre development