Search and find what you need faster.

Shabnam Shekarian

Posted on: July 1st, 2025 by Natasha Cox

I am a property litigation solicitor with over a decade of experience in housing and property law, including more than six years of post-qualification expertise. I specialise in complex residential property disputes and represent a diverse client base including landlords, tenants, developers, managing agents, and management companies.

My practice is defined by a strategic, results-driven approach and a commitment to delivering cost-effective solutions. I am known for my strong negotiation skills and practical mindset, always focused on resolving disputes efficiently while aligning with my clients’ commercial and personal objectives.

I have a strong academic foundation, having graduated with a First Class LLB Law degree, followed by a Distinction in both the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and an LLM Master of Laws from the University of Law.

Key areas of expertise include:

  • Section 21 / Section 8 possession claims and tenancy enforcement
  • Forfeiture claims
  • Orders for Sale
  • Service charge recovery and disputes
  • Breach of covenant and lease breaches
  • Residential lease extensions
  • Business lease renewals
  • Co-ownership disputes (TOLATA)

Outside of work I’m a fitness enthusiast with a passion for weightlifting, long walks, and nutrition. I also enjoy travelling and discovering new places. Committed to giving back, I volunteer with the Citizens Advice Bureau, participate in the London Legal Walk, and mentor aspiring law students through tuition and career guidance schemes.

Experience highlights

  • Rent arrears & possession: Successfully recovered possession for landlords with large property portfolios through Section 8 proceedings, including substantial rent arrears recovery.
  • Order for Sale – debt recovery: Successfully obtained an interim charging order, followed by a final charging order and an Order for Sale to recover a debt of £80,000 on behalf of my client.
  • Service Charge Recovery: Brought and won numerous claims for service charge debt recovery on behalf of managing agents and landlords, often involving complex lease interpretation and statutory compliance.
  • Relief from forfeiture: Successfully acted in proceedings seeking relief from forfeiture, preserving clients’ leasehold interests and negotiating favourable terms for reinstatement.
  • Disrepair Defence & Counterclaims: Defended private landlords against substantial disrepair counterclaims, achieving negotiated settlements that avoided trial and protected clients’ financial and reputational interests.
  • Boundary and Right of Way disputes: Obtained an injunction in a contentious right of way and boundary dispute and represented clients at mediation to reach a practical and enforceable resolution.

 

 

Zahra Shah

Posted on: June 20th, 2025 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens as a Senior Associate in 2025, with over 10 years of experience in residential and commercial real estate. I have extensive experience in residential and commercial property and real estate finance, having acted for landlords and tenants, developers, investors, high-net worth individuals and lenders, including specialist lenders.

I am committed to providing my clients with a pragmatic, personable, and efficient service by understanding their needs to meet their goal.

Outside of work I enjoy baking, travelling the world, going to gigs and concerts and spending time with my family and friends.

Experience highlights

  • Acting for a bridging lender on a property refinance in Central London for £4m.
  • Acting for a HNW client on the purchase of a property worth £6m.
  • Acting on a refinance of a portfolio of ten residential properties.

James Parker

Posted on: February 19th, 2025 by Hugh Dineen-Lees

I joined Lawrence Stephens in February 2025 as a paralegal in the Commercial Real Estate team, bringing over three years of experience from my time at Memery Crystal.

My expertise spans a wide range of commercial property matters, including landlord and tenant transactions, acquisitions and disposals, and financing. I also have experience handling residential real estate matters.

Outside of work I keep myself busy by studying for the PGDL, keeping fit, and socialising with friends.

Aminul Islam

Posted on: February 10th, 2025 by Natasha Cox

I am a Senior Associate in the Real Estate Finance department.

I have extensive experience dealing with a broad spectrum of real estate matters, consisting of but not limited to secured lending of residential and commercial real estate having acted for several institutional, second tier and specialist lenders. I have also acted for investors, developers, high-net-worth individuals (HNWI), and SMEs assisting them in diversifying their property portfolios across the UK.

Furthermore, I have a strong background in landlord and tenant matters, particularly in the grant, renewal and assignment of leases, as well as dealing with underleases, surrenders and variations. I have acted on transactions involving the letting of highly sought after commercial property in prime London locations and nationwide.

My approach is pragmatic and client-focused. Having acted for a diverse client base, I value the significance of each transaction and how the same aligns with my clients’ needs and objectives. Synonymously, I am committed to delivering a responsive, efficient, and commercially sound service and have garnered relationships with fellow industry professionals.

Outside of work, I am proud father. I have a passion for sports and enjoy football, but bear the heavy burden of being a Manchester United supporter. I have a keen interest for cars and would consider myself an enthusiast. I enjoy travelling and have visited numerous countries experiencing the wonderful cultures, cuisines and people.

Experience highlights

  • Acted on behalf of a lender client in relation to the refinancing of a portfolio of properties consisting of mixed use and residential properties for a facility of £6.8m. The security comprised 6 commercial units to the ground floor and 10 residential flats to the upper floors. The second building consisted of 20 residential flats.
  • Acted on behalf of a lender client on a transaction that involved the splitting and acquisition of a site consisting of a block of 23 flats and 6 townhouses. The facility was for a net amount of £3.7m.
  • Acted on a refinance matter for a lender client which consisted of a portfolio of 13 residential flats all on long leases and some with car parking leases. The facility was for the sum of £4.7m.
  • I acted on the acquisition, financing and subsequent sale of a small development. The client acquired two plots, one with an existing property situated on it and the other consisting of land. The plot containing the existing property was acquired first and subsequently refinanced. The value of the facility was for the sum of £2.7m and the funds were then utilized to acquire the plot comprising the land. The plots were both redeveloped to form 2 high-end residential properties. The titles were subsequently amalgamated and then split again respective to the extent of the properties. The newly built properties were then sold for £5m respectively.
  • Acted on behalf of a landlord in relation to the asset management of their freehold property in Dover street, Mayfair. We assisted the client with the lettings of their office units to the upper floors and the letting of the Sub-station to the rear. I also assisted with the means of escape issue with the adjoining owner of the property.

Ann Ebberson

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.