Posted on: January 23rd, 2025 by Hugh Dineen-Lees
I joined the Real Estate Finance team in January 2025, specialising in a wide range of real estate transactions. These include secured lending, acquisitions and disposals of residential and commercial real estate, refinancing, transfer of equity and lease extensions.
Over the past seven years, I have built a reputation for managing complex caseloads with precision and have delivered exceptional results for my clients.
I pride myself on my attention to detail, ability to work effectively under pressure, and strong commercial awareness. I am passionate about providing clear, practical advice and helping my clients achieve their goals, whether they are buying a home, refinancing a property, or navigating complex real estate legal issues.
Prior to qualifying as a solicitor, I worked as a property consultant, where I provided bespoke advice to clients and guided investors through property acquisitions. I also gained valuable insights into client management and negotiation skills during this time.
Outside of work, I enjoy attending reformer Pilates, yoga and fitness classes, skiing, spending time with family and socialising with friends.
Experience Highlights
- Being a key member of the team acting for the lender on a £50million refinancing secured over seven properties in central London
- Acting for client on transfer of equity and refinancing of a portfolio of eight residential properties
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.
Posted on: December 6th, 2024 by Natasha Cox
I joined Lawrence Stephens in 2024 as a solicitor in the Real Estate Finance Borrower team. Prior to this, I completed my training contract and continued as an associate at a city law firm.
I have experience working on a wide range of transactions, including advising developers and private individuals on property portfolio refinancing, secured lending transactions, and acquiring bridging loans. I also collaborate closely with brokers and other professionals on each transaction, ensuring all parties are well informed. I am passionate about delivering successful outcomes for my clients, particularly when navigating complex transactions within tight timeframes.
Outside of work, I enjoy baking, staying active, and spending quality time with family and friends. I am also an avid traveller who loves discovering new destinations.
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
Posted on: November 26th, 2024 by Hugh Dineen-Lees
I joined Lawrence Stephens’ Real Estate Finance Team as a Senior Associate in October 2024. Before this, I spent approximately seven years at Edgware working as a secured lending solicitor. With over a decade of experience in all areas of property law, I possess extensive knowledge in various aspects of secured lending. This includes residential buy-to-let properties, Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), commercial loans, bridging loans, and development financing. I have worked closely with professionals in the legal field, as well as financial intermediaries, underwriters, and credit managers.
I take pride in developing long-term relationships with my clients by providing practical, cost-effective legal advice and striving for solutions that best meet their needs. I welcome the challenge of delivering client solutions to achieve successful outcomes, whether that involves securing development financing or managing a straightforward commercial loan.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my children and engaging in activities such as cooking, swimming, and travelling. I prioritise maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Posted on: November 18th, 2024 by Hugh Dineen-Lees
I am a solicitor in the Real Estate Finance Department at Lawrence Stephens having joined in 2024.
I have over have seven years’ experience in real estate finance, acting for large lenders providing regulated buy-to-let loans, bridging loans and development loans secured over both residential and commercial security. I also act on deals secured with a portfolio of property. I have experience in acting on a dual representation basis for both the bank and borrower.
As my knowledge has been developed acting for one client with a large number of deals, I understand the importance of maintaining client trust and satisfaction. I pride myself on excellent communication and quality of work delivered with a personal and down to earth approach.
In my spare time, I enjoy trying to reach my Goodreads target, long walks stroking as many dogs as possible, eating good food and drinking great wine.
Career highlights
- £4million bridging loan over 14 new residential dwellings;
- £7million buy-to-let loan over a parade of high street shops; and
- £3million loan over two nursing homes.
Posted on: June 25th, 2024 by Yvonne Uzoka
I am a director in the Real Estate Finance team and Legal 500 recognised lawyer.
I have a wealth of experience of working on real estate finance deals, particularly development finance, property acquisitions and sales, residential landlord and tenant issues, title rectifications and working with litigation colleagues on complex disputes which involve real estate and finance. I have acted for a range of banks, lending institutions, fixed charge receivers, developers, property companies and individuals.
Prior to joining Lawrence Stephens, I was a partner for many years in the city firm of Rosling King LLP in the real estate team.
My large family keeps me busy but in my spare time I love pottering in my garden and clay pigeon shooting with my husband and friends.
Posted on: April 18th, 2024 by Natasha Cox
I joined Lawrence Stephens in April 2024 as a paralegal in the Real Estate Finance department. I bring over eight years of bridging finance, secured lending and residential conveyancing experience to the team.
Prior to joining Lawrence Stephens, I worked at a Legal 500 City Firm as a paralegal while training to qualify as a property lawyer.
I have vast experience in acting for both lenders and borrowers in all aspect of real estate transactions.
In my spare time, I enjoy reading and cooking.
Posted on: February 12th, 2024 by Maverick Freedlander
I joined Lawrence Stephens’ Real Estate Finance & Banking team in February 2024 after qualifying as a solicitor in August 2023 at a reputable firm. I graduated from King’s College London before completing the GDL and LPC, graduating with a distinction.
I regularly act for lending institutions in a variety of transactions including refinancing and acquisition of residential, commercial and mixed-use properties, with bridging loans being a key expertise.
Outside of the office, I have a keen interest in fitness. I previously played semi-professional football and am an avid gym goer. Any other spare time is spent with family, friends and watching my beloved Manchester United.
Experience highlights
- Acting for the borrower and lender in the incorporation and refinance of 14 properties with a loan amount of £2.9million
- Acting for the lender in the refinance of a Knightsbridge property valued at £6million which involved several leasehold titles
- Acting for the lender in the granting of a new lease which completed within one week from instruction
Posted on: January 15th, 2024 by Yvonne Uzoka
I joined Lawrence Stephens as a Solicitor in 2024, bringing with me extensive experience in real estate finance. With a diverse background representing bridging lenders and borrowers ranging from first-time buyers to high net-worth individuals and property developers, I possess a deep understanding of the nuanced needs and challenges inherent in bridging, refurbishment and development loans.
I love a challenge and being able to find solutions to problems or simplifying a complex issue for a client to give them the understanding to be able to proceed with confidence as issues arise. I also adopt a pragmatic approach, working with all stakeholders involved to ensure a seamless and timely completion to the benefit of lender and borrower alike. Lender clients have also relied on me to assist them with creating and improving upon their loan documents leading to better protections for lenders and faster turnaround times leading to a more timely completion for the borrowers.
Outside of the office, I enjoy swimming, trying new foods and spending time with my family.
Experience highlights
- Completing a complex £2.4m bridging finance transaction involving five security properties including a dwelling house, residential flats, partially completed dwellings and a HMO which required extensive negotiations and overcoming a multitude of obstacles
- Completing a finance transaction secured over a portfolio of 21 properties being acquired by the borrower
Posted on: November 6th, 2023 by Yvonne Uzoka
I am a Senior Associate specialising in high-volume, fast-paced bridging transactions for mid-market lenders, dealing with both regulated and unregulated loans.
My experience includes advising on all types of loans from simple closed bridges to large-scale development loans and high-value portfolio refinances, with complementary knowledge in property issues, banking, planning and trust matters. I also consult on complex registrations, unregistered land and registration errors.
I am typically instructed on complex loans, as clients have confidence in my ability to navigate through a myriad of issues, explaining the risks to them in a clear and concise way enabling them to make commercial decisions.
Prior to working in law, I spent 14 years in the West End working as a sub-editor, designer, and production editor for various financial, business and IT magazines, including The Guardian and Observer newspapers. Given my background in journalism, I am a keen writer of online law articles and have written games reviews for magazines.
Outside of work, I promote careers in law by regularly exhibiting at careers events for young people. I also enjoy travelling with my family and spending time in the garden.
Experience highlights
- Acted on the refinancing of three aparthotels in central Liverpool, secured by three cross-collateralised loan facilities with a combined loan amount of more than £4m. The three loans raised a number of particularly complex issues, due to the involvement of a SIPP fund, mental capacity aspects, trust issues and the refinance of a fluctuating credit facility
- Acted on a £8.6m development funding for the demolition and rebuilding of houses on the Chelsea Embankment. The number of neighbouring properties benefiting from rights over the development site made for a tricky title reporting job
- Acted on an acquisition and refinance of a number of shopping arcades, including ‘The Quadrant’ in Romford
- Acted on a £3.4m refinance of a Grade II listed building in York with planning consent for conversion to mixed use retail and aparthotel, while the borrower looks for development funding. This included negotiation of a deed of priority with mezzanine lender, and reporting on a flying freehold and defective title insurance
Posted on: October 12th, 2023 by Yvonne Uzoka
I joined Lawrence Stephens’ Real Estate Finance team in September 2023. Prior to this, I trained at a City firm specialising in property where I qualified in January 2023.
My experience includes acting for both lenders and borrowers in secured lending transactions, most commonly acting for bridging lenders in relation to acquisitions and refinances. In addition to this, I have acted in a variety of real estate matters involving freehold and leasehold properties as well as new developments.
In my spare time I enjoy keeping fit and travelling. I recently signed up for my third marathon in Barcelona 2024.
Experience highlights
- Acting for a borrower in an incorporation and refinance of 15 properties with a loan of £2.4m
- Acting for a developer in the sale of 37 flats within a new development
