Search and find what you need faster.

Jim Richards

Posted on: October 13th, 2023 by Yvonne Uzoka

I joined Lawrence Stephens’ Family team in June 2023.

I qualified as a solicitor in 2004, training in a leading regional firm. Since then, I have worked in Kent, Sussex and London, specialising exclusively in family law. I have in-depth experience in a range of areas including dealing with financial settlements or children cases. For some years, I was a member of the Law Society Children’s Panel and dealt with complex cases where the children were parties to the litigation.

Before qualifying as a solicitor, I worked for 15 years in the Central Family Court based in London. I have experience in all forms of family litigation, involving a range of assets and jurisdictions.

I take a pragmatic view to cases and while I look to reach agreement where possible, I am always prepared to take a case to court if it is justified.

Outside of work, I enjoy all things Italian and Portsmouth Football club – a truly dynamic combination.

Experience highlights 

  • Carrying out advocacy at an eight-day fact-finding hearing while representing children
  • In private law proceedings, carrying out advocacy for children in a fact-finding hearing involving a father alleged to have sexually abused his children
  • Acting for a husband in a successful variation of a joint lives maintenance application; obtaining a discharge of the joint lives order
  • Acted on behalf of the husband in a landmark reported financial remedies case concerning the provenance of assets and the approach when pre-marital assets had been used as a matrimonial home. 
  • Acting successfully for a wife in maintenance pension suit application, and subsequent proceedings to a final hearing at which she received a substantial pension share order, maintenance order and lump sum order
  • Protecting a Police Pension while acting for a husband, by successfully offsetting claims made by his wife
  • Acting for a wife in a complex jurisdiction dispute involving the UAE in children and financial remedy claims

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

Mohit Pasricha

Posted on: August 1st, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I am Head of Sports & Entertainment at Lawrence Stephens, advising and representing a variety of sporting and entertainment clients within the industry.

Within Sport, I regularly act for clients on a wide range of issues from player transfers, boxing promotional agreements, commercial opportunities (including image rights and endorsement agreements) to regulatory, brand protection and dispute matters.

Within Entertainment, I advise music artists, actors, celebrities and influencers in relation to their commercial and endorsement agreements, ambassador agreements and global brand protection matters.

My passion and determination go beyond the ordinary, making me much more than just a ‘lawyer’ to my clients. I am a key advisor to my clients, breaking barriers to connect and truly understand their objectives both ‘on-field’ and ‘off-field’. To complement my approach, I have an outstanding network of advisors, perfectly tailored to fulfilling my clients’ needs. Among them are first-class sports tax advisors and financial experts, essential to securing my clients’ success.

I am highly regarded by leading industry directories such as Chambers & Partners. Sources note that I am “the best contact we ever made in the sports industry and has helped us greatly in our expansion”, always going “above and beyond” for my clients. “I can’t speak highly enough of Mo and his team.”

I have also been appointed to  the Sport Resolutions Pro Bono service. A legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the service provides pro bono legal advice and assistance to athletes and individuals of limited financial means.

Experience highlights 

  • Advised and led negotiations for a WBO World Champion on a multi-million-pound global ambassador and promotional agreement with one of the UK’s biggest boxing promoters
  • Advised and assisted a high-profile England and Premier League player with various global corporate investments, endorsements agreements and family matters
  • Negotiated a multi-million pound promotional agreement with the UK’s biggest boxing promoters for a British professional light-heavyweight boxer ranked number one in the world
  • Advised and assisted a Premier League player with his multi-million-pound contract renewal with Arsenal FC
  • Advised and led negotiations for a global FX company on their sponsorship deal with Haas F1
  • Advised and assisted a high-profile professional boxer in respect of his dispute with a global boxing promoter
  • Advised and assisted a Tokyo Silver Olympic medalist with his management agreement with 258 Management, his global endorsement deal with Adidas, his ambassador deal with Sky Sports and his record-breaking promotional agreement with one of the UK’s biggest boxing promoters
  • Negotiated a global endorsement agreement with McDonalds for a professional boxer
  • Advised and assisted Love Island winners and former contestants on their management agency agreements, image rights structuring, and brand commercial deals
  • Advised and assisted a Premier League player with his negotiations with a large football agency
  • Negotiated and advised a pre-scholar football player on his six-figure endorsement deal with Under Armour
  • Assisted a world champion UFC fighter with his endorsement deal with a global male-grooming company
  • Assisted and successfully advised a leading UK sports agency on its dispute against their former client, a professional footballer, before the FA at a Rule K hearing
  • Advised and negotiated a global brand ambassador agreement with a high-profile Manchester United player on behalf of a global drinks brand
  • Assisted and advised young players and their families on scholarship agreements, and their first professional contracts
  • Founded the first Sports Law Clinic at Wembley Stadium working with the University Campus of Football Business which has provided pro-bono advice to over 100 agents, players, students and athletes

Ricardo Geada

Posted on: May 2nd, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens as a Director to head up the Regulatory Solutions department.  I have over 16 years’ legal experience in dispute resolution (in-house and private practice) with a particular focus on regulatory and compliance when it comes to cannabis-related businesses as well as the cryptoassets and the blockchain industry. 

I am regularly instructed by global cannabis companies in either the CBD wellness sector or medicinal cannabis sector (CBPMs).  These instructions range from advising on aspects of regulation in the UK, EU, Asia and beyond regarding the legality of vaping products (e-cigarettes and e-liquids); cosmetics; food products and supplements; and medicinal cannabis products.  I often advise clients looking to obtain a Home Office licence such as a controlled drugs licence or cultivation licence. 

I have also developed an interest and practice regarding cryptoassets, blockchain and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Often assisting as a trusted crypto lawyer, I have assisted businesses operating in or seeking to enter this ever-growing space. I help my clients navigate the complex and novel legal issues of digital assets whether it be a business looking to set up an exchange or issue a token.

Due to the nature of the above sectors and the legal nuances involved, I regularly work closely with other legal departments such as Corporate & Commercial, Employment and Dispute Resolution to ensure my clients benefit from a full suite of legal services specifically tailored to their immediate business needs and future objectives.

My in-house and international experience makes me commercially incisive and instrumental to my clients when handling their legal and strategic requirements both in the UK and abroad.  I am regularly described by my clients as a pragmatic, strategic and solution-focused business partner.

Experience highlights 

  • Advising clients in respect of regulation in the UK, EU and abroad (over 15 countries covered) regarding the legality of:
    1. Vaping products (e-cigarettes and e-liquids)
    2. Cosmetics 
    3. Medicinal cannabis products
    4. Food supplements
    5. Food products

Some of the Regulations covered: Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001, Consumer Products and Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, Human Medicines Regulations 2012 (guidance given by the UK Regulator – Medicines & Health products Regulatory Agency (“MHRA”), EU Cosmetics Regulations (EC – No. 1223/2009), The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (including the Tobacco Products Directive) and General Product Safety Regulations 2005

  • Advising and assisting clients with their CBD novel foods applications (NFA) and/or linked NFA with the Food Standards Agency
  • Conducting marking reviews of clients’ CBD product lines and websites making sure they adhere to relevant regulations depending on the type of product in question
  • Review and advising clients in relation to certificates of analysis (CoAs) in respect of the levels of THC contained within the specified product, ensuring such levels are within the permitted amounts as set out by the laws and regulations of those countries the client intends to export to
  • Advising clients in respect of product seizures by border force agencies. Successfully getting products released and also obtaining damages for a client where their product line had been destroyed by UK Border Force
  • Advising clients in respect of controlled drug licences
  • Advising clients in respect of industrial hemp cultivation applications in the UK and assisting with the applications process

Abtin Yeganeh

Posted on: February 28th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens in March 2023 as a Senior Associate in the Dispute Resolution department. I was promoted to my current role as a Director and Head of Real Estate Disputes in August 2024.

I deal with a wide range of matters including but not limited to, secured recoveries, party wall and developer claims, trespass, rights to light claims, professional negligence, and all landlord tenant matters relating to breaches of covenant, possession, forfeiture, insolvency, debt recovery, contested lease renewals and dilapidation claims.

I have experience of taking matters to trial in the High Court and have also been involved in a number of successful appeals before the Court of Appeal.

My clients include lenders, investors, commercial landlords, local authorities, and insolvency practitioners.

I am married with three boys and live in South West London. Outside of work my interests include football, golf and going out with family and friends.

Experience highlights 

  • Acting for a developer and London Local Authority in a High Court Rights to Light Claim
  • Advising and acting for various lenders in connection with enforceability of security documents, out of court administration appointments, receivership, obtaining vacant possession and enforcing personal guarantees.
  • Obtaining an order from the Upper Tribunal (Land Chamber) discharging a restrictive covenant under s.84 of the Law of Property Act 1925
  • Advising a bank in respect of its occupation of premises at Tower 42 on Old Broad Street and dealing with a claim by the landlord for dilapidations
  • Legget & Ors -v-Giambrone Law LLP (In Liquidation) – €3.5m group litigation claim by 43 claimants against their former solicitors, Giambrone Law (“the Firm”) over its advice the clients in a failed property development that had alleged had links to the Mafia.  It had been alleged that the Firm was under a duty to warn investors of the risks involved in investing in a part of Italy associated with organised crime
  • Acting for a BVI entity (the Applicant) for an order by the Court approving the terms of a contested lease and for it to be executed by a Judge pursuant to section 39 of the Senior Courts Act 1981
  • Successfully obtaining a vesting order against the Crown estate
  • Acting for the successful claimants in various libel claims which have included, Al-Haddad -v- BBC, Sultan Choudhury -v- The Times Newspaper Limited, Huda Television Limited -v- The Henry Jackson Society.

Ajoy Bose-Mallick

Posted on: February 15th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens as Head of Banking in September 2022, having led the Real Estate Finance department at a Top 200 UK law firm for almost five years. 

I act for a wide range of different lenders, non-bank lenders, alternative lenders, entrepreneurs, private family offices, property companies, funds, sponsors, developers, joint venture vehicles, entrepreneurs and borrowers on real estate investment and development finance projects across the UK ranging from £100,000 to £75m.

The bulk of the transactions I advise on are between £1m and £50m and span a wide variety of asset classes including residential, office, PRS, student accommodation, mixed use schemes, hotel, retail and buy to let projects.  I also have extensive experience working on transactions which involve international elements and offshore jurisdictions and working for international based clients looking to invest in the UK on property transactions.

I enjoy working with a variety of different clients from the individual investor to the family office or corporate institution or variety of different lenders and no one client is the same.  I enjoy advising my clients on a wide range of issues (not exclusively related to just Banking and Real Estate Finance).  In addition to documenting and negotiating transactions, I advise on structuring deals and on real estate financing issues and have also been on secondment to a clearing bank.

Experience highlights 

  • Acting for a wide range of different bridging lenders, clearing banks, alternative lenders, private banks and non-bank lenders in respect of numerous investment and development facilities for numerous real estate transactions ranging between £250,000 to £75m for UK-based and international borrowers across different asset classes such as residential, PRS, commercial, office, student accommodation, retail and mixed use schemes
  • Advising a private equity fund in connection with a £200m investment in a UK development finance lending platform, to assist an alternative lender in providing development finance in the UK residential market
  • Advising a privately owned family property company based in the UK in connection with a £33m senior loan facility for a mixed portfolio of properties in Chelsea
  • Acting for a group of investors on the £5m bridging, £35m development finance, £35m investment finance and eventual sale of a 750 bed PRS scheme in North England to an international buyer
  • Advising the borrower on the £65m refinancing of an office development in the City of London and subsequent partial debt transfer to a senior lender
  • Advising a senior lender in respect of a £5m refinancing secured on a range of residential buy to let properties
  • Acted for an alternative lender providing a secured property finance facility for the development of a student accommodation block in North England with a gross development value of £20m
  • Acted for a lender in relation to the £20m refinancing of a student accommodation scheme in Bristol, which involved finance, real estate and construction advice
  • Advising various listed managed funds in relation to numerous financings totalling £500m with different lenders in respect of the purchase of over 100 properties ranging from residential, mixed use and commercial investments and developments in the UK
  • Advising a UK property development company in connection with a £5m term loan provided by a local authority to fund the forward purchase and development of an office building
  • Acting for a private family based property company on the £15m development finance of a student accommodation project with an alternative lender

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

Andrew Conway

Posted on: February 10th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

Having qualified in 1995, I joined Lawrence Stephens in April 1999 and have been a Partner since July 2003.

I advise extensively in relation to contractual disputes, breach of warranty claims, employment disputes, debt recovery and enforcement, insolvency-related matters (both personal and corporate), partnership and shareholders’ disputes, professional negligence claims and all manner of property-related litigation. I am also a member of the Property Litigation Association (PLA), and the Employment Lawyers Association (ELA).

My clients include businesses, real estate investment funds, asset managers, lenders and individuals.

I am married with two sons and live in North West London. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, walking our two dogs, Buster and Hugo, playing golf and supporting Watford FC.

Experience highlights 

  • Advising a Premier League footballer in relation to High Court proceedings arising from a contractual dispute with his former agent
  • Obtaining injunctions against the former directors of a software development business in relation to both the theft of confidential information and the establishment of a competing business in breach of post-termination restrictive covenants
  • Advising property developers in connection with a claim for damages against their building contractors for defective works and breach of contract
  • Acting for a property trading company in relation to a disputed claim for substantial dilapidations on expiry of a lease of commercial premises
  • Advising a client in connection with claims (in both the Employment Tribunal and the High Court) against her former employer for unfair dismissal and sex and race discrimination

Carly Russell

Posted on: February 10th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens as a Director in the Private Wealth and Succession Planning department in June 2022.  I previously headed up the private client team at Brecher LLP, advising on contentious and non-contentious private wealth.

I have practiced in the high net wealth private client industry for over 20 years.  My practice covers advice and assistance to UK and international clients. Clients include fiduciaries, corporate entities, entrepreneurs and individuals with family wealth.

I offer a fused practice of private client litigation and non-contentious work.

My litigation work is UK and cross-border actions, involving dependency claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, contentious probate actions, will challenges, the removal of fiduciaries, breach of trust actions, HMRC challenges, mental capacity challenges, charity disputes and professional negligence.

On the non-contentious side, I prepare and administer wills and trusts, undertake UK and cross-border probate administration, succession planning, lifetime planning, lasting powers of attorney and deputyship matters and philanthropy.  My main focuses are all aspects of direct taxes (inheritance tax, capital gains tax and income tax) and UK and international asset structuring for asset protection, succession and tax planning purposes using trust structures and family investment companies.

Away from work, I enjoy travel, challenging myself with new sports, music and watching sport.

Experience highlights

  • Restructuring of share ownership for private clients prior to company floating and change in citizenship and residence status of client; the impetus of the exercise asset protection and future succession planning
  • Acting for the beneficiary of a high value offshore trust to negotiate with the trustees a significant distribution as a result of a challenge by the beneficiary for trustees’ breach of fiduciary duties.
  • Settlement of negotiations with HMRC in respect of the inheritance tax payable from an estate with multi-jurisdictional assets of an ultra-high value, involving the application of case law to support the discounting of asset values and the use of estate capital losses
  • Winding up of a shares pension scheme where the sole member lacks capacity and the directors of the company in which the shares were held were in dispute
  • Multi-jurisdictional high value contentious probate focusing on challenges over domicile and claims for dependency under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, involving the application of private international laws. Successfully defending the claims to the estate
  • Acting for trustees in the winding up of a historic employee benefit trust that had been negligently drafted by a third party and amended negligently over a period of 15 years. Advising and resolving the tax status of the trust with HMRC and thereafter winding it up

Craig Mullen

Posted on: February 10th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

With more than 16 years PQE, I have accumulated vast experience in dealing with a full range of Commercial Real Estate and Real Estate Finance transactions. My specialisms include managing commercial landlord and tenant matters and complex, high-value acquisitions and disposals of commercial property.

Naturally approachable, friendly and client-focused, I thoroughly enjoy working with clients – whether that may be an individual or a large private limited company – to enable them to find the best possible solution to their problems and to achieve their business goals.

I have a second full-time job away from the office being the father of twin girls! I am also a keen runner, having completed several 10k and half-marathon races, as well as the 2022 London Marathon.

Experience highlights 

  • Leading a team in relation to the acquisition of a multi-let mixed use site in Hackney for an investor client.  The transaction involved several freehold and leasehold titles over four different buildings and extremely tight timescales
  • Acting for PLC company in relation to three separate asset sales in Milton Keynes of tenanted mixed use properties for a total sale price of in excess of £50m
  • Acting for three individuals forming an accountants’ partnership on their renewal lease of office space in Baker Street, London
  • Acting for a client company who purchased a multi-million-pound site in the North of England which was sublet to Sainsbury’s and other retail tenants

Danny Schwarz

Posted on: February 10th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I qualified in 1998 and joined Lawrence Stephens in 2006, having previously worked in the property department of a leading City firm.  I was made a Partner in 2008 and am now Head of Commercial Real Estate. 

I deal with all aspects of commercial property investment, acquisitions and disposals, development, landlord and tenant work and property management.

I also work closely with the firm’s Corporate department on the property aspects of transactions.

The only BAFTA nominated partner within the firm, I took the scenic route to law.  Following a stint in the army and a degree in Film & Television at Tel Aviv University, I moved to the UK and worked in the film industry before qualifying as a solicitor.

I have three daughters and a son and enjoy tennis, football, music, art and motorbikes despite recently hanging up my helmet.

Experience highlights 

  • Acting for a developer on the acquisition of commercial premises, redevelopment to 25 residential flats and sale of leases
  • Acting for a retailer in the acquisition and disposal of retail properties comprising a current portfolio of over 40 shops
  • Acting for several pub groups, clubs and restaurateurs on the acquisitions and sales of high value prime location properties
  • Acting for a property investment fund on refinance of mixed-use portfolio in the value of £25m
  • Acting for freeholders of a block of flats in St Johns Wood in relation to the grant of a lease of airspace to a developer and construction agreement for the construction of two penthouse apartments on the roof of the building

David Freedman

Posted on: February 10th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens as a Partner in September 2019 and contribute over 35 years of legal experience to our Real Estate/Secured Lending team.

Over the years, I have established a proactive, can-do attitude to meeting clients’ objectives and offer a level of service which, given my number of repeat clients, has clearly proven attractive.

I act for a range of leading UK specialist bridging finance lenders, providing extensive advice on property finance, landlord and tenant and commercial conveyancing matters. As well as advising on the acquisition, disposal and letting of commercial property, I have a large number of private property investors to whom I provide all types of commercial property management advice.

My clients are predominantly made up of established lenders in the bridging finance or property lending market and long standing private property investors. These range from clients with large Central London holdings to those with portfolios of shops, offices and industrial units. The variety offers a significant volume of work, but also provides the opportunity to establish close personal relationships with individual underwriters.

Lawrence Stephens’ cohort of long-suffering Spurs supporters welcomes me with wide open arms, though I also enjoys tennis, cricket and bridge, and am an avid cinema and theatre-goer.  When I’m not working, I involve myself in charity work to provide holiday opportunities to under-privileged children.

Experience highlights 

  • Acted for the sale of a private property investor in relation to the sale of a portfolio of 18 tenanted properties at a price of £5,162,500
  • Acted for the bank in relation to a loan of £1.25m secured by a mixture of first and second charges over six freehold and leasehold properties
  • Acted for the executors of an estate in relation to the sale of two linked flats in St Johns Wood for £2.65m with enquiries from both buyer’s and lender’s solicitors
  • Acting for borrower and lender in relation to 9 separate loans on a mixture of freehold and leasehold residential properties having a total loan value of £1.7m