Posted on: June 25th, 2024 by Yvonne Uzoka
I am a Director and Head of the Real Estate Finance team at Lawrence Stephens.
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: June 21st, 2024 by Hugh Dineen-Lees
I have over 10 years’ post qualification experience of acting for a wide range of lenders, financial institutions, sponsors and corporate borrowers on all forms of finance transactions ranging from £100,000 up to £80m, with a particular focus on real estate finance.
I advise on senior and mezzanine loan origination, equity investments, loan restructuring and enforcement across a wide variety of asset classes and often with cross border elements, regularly working with lawyers in off shore jurisdictions such as the BVI, Guernsey and Luxembourg.
I advise developers and funders on real estate development projects and in addition to documenting and negotiating acquisition and development finance documents, I also advise on joint venture agreements and the preparation and negotiation of industry standard and bespoke construction documents.
Posted on: December 4th, 2023 by Yvonne Uzoka
I am an Associate in the Sports & Entertainment team at Lawrence Stephens.
As a former elite athlete competing in synchronised swimming and fin-swimming, I am able to bring a unique perspective to my practice and my clients. Currently, I represent a number of professional athletes on high-profile boxing promotional agreements, anti-doping disputes, and multimillion-pound arbitrations, as well as providing holistic advice in relation to reputation management, strategy and career development.
As one of the UK’s leading sports lawyers, I am now a trusted advisor to a number of notable sports and entertainment clients. 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.
Posted on: October 23rd, 2023 by Yvonne Uzoka
I am a conscientious and efficient Director and joint Head of the Family team at Lawrence Stephens. I work closely with clients on complex family issues, with a particular interest in Children Act matters, to include cross-border relocation, change of residence applications and internal relocations. I also specialise in completing my own advocacy to ensure a smooth and cohesive process, which results in my clients feeling supported throughout the process.
My experience includes divorce and matrimonial finance work and I have worked with clients through complex matters, including the division of businesses and high-value properties. I pride myself on providing first-class support to clients during challenging times – focusing on their needs as a priority.
I have been ranked as a key lawyer in the Legal 500 (2021, 2023) and Chambers and Partners (2022,2023) legal directories as an ‘Associate to Watch’. I also lecture at Bath Spa University in all areas of law but, with a particular focus on family law.
Outside of work, I am a keen sportsperson having played netball, tennis and hockey to a high level.
Experience highlights
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Acting for a father, where the mother had accused him of sexual assault. The father denied the allegations. Further to a fact finding hearing, whereby no findings were made, the Court ordered for change of residence of the child, into the father’s care, with costs being awarded for the father, to be paid by the mother.
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Acting for a wife in a complex separation of matrimonial finances. The wife was a victim of domestic abuse, having secured a non-molestation order against the husband utilising my services. The wife was awarded an 80/20 split in her favour, with the husband ordered to pay some of the wife’s costs, due to his litigation conduct.
- 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.
