Posted on: January 19th, 2026 by Ella Darnell
I am a Solicitor in the Real Estate Department at Lawrence Stephens, having joined in 2026.
I have experience in acting for lenders, borrowers and developers on a broad range of secured lending transactions including bridging loans, buy to let mortgages and development finance. With deals including a portfolio of properties, HMO licencing, AST and new build financing.
I am motivated by achieving the best possible outcomes for my clients and pride myself on delivering a high standard of client care.
Posted on: January 13th, 2026 by Ella Darnell
I joined Lawrence Stephens in 2026, as a Partner in the Real Estate Finance department. I have extensive experience advising banks, alternative lenders, and funders on a wide range of domestic and cross-border financing transactions. My practice covers real estate investment and acquisition finance, offering strategic guidance to clients navigating complex funding structures.
I have a deep understanding of lender priorities and structuring requirements, enabling me to provide practical, solutions-focused advice across all stages of a transaction. I work closely with mainstream and challenger banks, bridging lenders, mezzanine funders, and institutional investors, helping them structure and execute secured lending arrangements with confidence.
I regularly advise on financing across a range of asset classes, including residential and commercial developments, student accommodation, retail, office spaces, and mixed-use schemes. My commercial approach and ability to anticipate lender concerns make me a trusted advisor in the real estate finance sector.
Posted on: November 11th, 2025 by Ella Darnell
I joined Lawrence Stephens’ Banking team as an Associate in October 2025.
I have experience on a variety of finance transactions having acted for overseas banks, bridging lenders, funders, developers and corporate borrowers. I have a particular focus on real estate finance projects from investment/acquisitions, development and construction finance as well as short-term bridging loans often involving complex assets.
In terms of wider banking, I have assisted lenders restructuring deals, advised funders on participation agreements and drafted security arrangements including share charges, bank account charges and assignments of underlying borrower security.
Experience highlights
- Acted for a private bank on a £4 million refinance of four South London properties involving both commercial and residential units
- Acted for numerous property finance lenders on a variety of bridging and development finance loans
- Acted for a corporate borrower on a £5 million plus refinance to support a residential apartment development project
- Acted for an individual borrower on a £6 million refinance of 8 residential flats under the terms of a sharia compliant Murabaha facility arrangement
Posted on: October 2nd, 2025 by Ella Darnell
I am a Partner in the Real Estate Finance team, having joined in 2025.
My practice focuses primarily on representing lenders in relation to their commercial, development, bridging and residential financing transactions.
I also have experience advising clients on all aspects of investment, acquisitions and disposals of commercial and residential real estate, real estate development, and corporate real estate support matters. I have particular experience in ‘co-living’, hotel and real estate/development finance deals for both lenders and borrowers. I have also advised on various cross-border acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate and finance matters, with significant experience in Central and Eastern Europe.
Experience highlights
- Advising one of the leading global co-living businesses on a broad range of matters, including real estate acquisitions, joint venture agreements, SPAs, development agreements and acquisition and development finance, in various jurisdictions including the UK, USA, Germany and Singapore
- Advised a London based property developer on £80m refinance of their residential portfolio
- Advised a Middle-Eastern investor in relation to refinance of their £450m luxury hotel portfolio in the UK
- Advising one of the leading multi-national real estate companies with business operations in Southeast Europe in relation to their hotel operations, including real estate acquisitions, development and financing
- Advised a Dutch lender on £10mil facility relating to agricultural development project in the UK
Posted on: May 30th, 2025 by Natasha Cox
I have extensive experience advising lenders and borrowers on all aspects of real estate finance. My practice includes domestic and cross-border transactions, spanning senior, mezzanine and whole loans.
My investment expertise encompasses all asset classes, from office spaces, retail units, mixed use and leisure facilities, industrial and business parks, hotels and PBSA, including landmark buildings and large portfolios.
I excel in managing a wide range of development finance transactions, from large scale ‘ground up’ developments to small refurbishment projects. I also advise on planning assistance and development exit loans.
My client base includes financial institutions, senior lenders, mezzanine lenders, and bridging financiers.
I have a deep understanding of the industry and I am focused on delivering high quality pragmatic advice on transactions, irrespective of size or complexity.
Posted on: February 17th, 2025 by Natasha Cox
I joined Lawrence Stephens’ Banking team in 2025, having gained valuable experience from city firms across a broad range of finance matters.
I have experience acting for overseas and domestic banks, bridging lenders, alternative lenders and non-bank lenders in respect of secured lending transactions, including investment and development finance matters; property refinance and security release matters; and in dealing with security arrangements in corporate acquisitions. I also have experience acting for individuals and SMEs on smaller lending projects throughout the deal cycle.
Away from work, I am an Indian classical percussionist, specialising in Morsing, Ghatam and Konnakol. I am also a hopeful Arsenal fan.
Experience
- acting for bridging lenders on numerous bridging loan transactions for domestic and overseas real estate assets
- acting for banks on loan agreements, amendment agreements, intercreditor agreements, security arrangements and releases in connection with real estate assets and corporate acquisitions
- acting for various alternative/private credit lenders on real estate acquisition and development finance transactions
- acting for individuals (in their capacity as a lender or a borrower) in smaller loan and security arrangements
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
Posted on: October 4th, 2023 by Yvonne Uzoka
I joined Lawrence Stephens in 2023 and recently qualified into the Banking department, where I advise lenders, borrowers, and investors on a broad range of finance transactions.
I have a wide background in real estate, having worked in commercial real estate, non-performing lending, and as in house counsel at the UK’s fastest growing EV charging network.
Outside of work I usually spend my time on a motorbike, or golf course; two passions that teach a lot about balance, risk and always looking ahead.
Experience
- Advising on and drafting investment and development facilities, security and intercreditor documents for a wide range of banking, corporate and real estate finance transactions.
- Acting and advising receiver and lender clients on non-performing loans and the sale of various secured assets, often involving multiple secured and unsecured creditors.
- Advising private individuals and family offices (in their capacity as a lender or borrower) in smaller loan and security arrangements.
