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: 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: June 21st, 2024 by Yvonne Uzoka
I am an associate in the Real Estate Finance department. I joined Lawrence Stephens in July 2024 but come from a broad range of experience in commercial, residential and real estate finance transactions.
I have regularly worked for lenders, domestic and international banks in high value secured lending transactions reporting on the suitability of property as financial security with values ranging from £500,000 to £75m. I also have a wealth of experience in acting for developers, landlords, tenants, corporate clients and individuals on the acquisition, sale, refinancing and letting of both residential and commercial premises.
I enjoy working through complex deals, speaking and discussing important matters directly with clients to reach a commercial conclusion.
When I am not at work, I enjoy my rugby, music, theatre, D&D and LARP.
Experience highlights
- Acting for an international lender as part of a wider team on the financing of the acquisition of an £75m portfolio of 14 central London properties
- Acting for a lender on the financing of the acquisition of a large multi-phase development site with plans for circa 700 residential dwellings plus amenities
Posted on: February 28th, 2023 by Natasha Cox
I am a Senior Associate in the Lawrence Stephens Banking team, having previously spent over half a decade working as a banking associate at international law firms.
To date, I have advised on hundreds of banking transactions from inception at term sheet stage, through the lifecycle of document negotiation, to signing and completion and managing any post-close matters. I aim to mix sensible legal advice on key risk points with an eye on the commercial imperatives and flow of a transaction.
My practice ranges from advising individuals and SMEs on smaller lending projects through to syndicated transactions for a club of investment banks. I enjoy working on a variety of lending products and getting to grips with the different pressures and markets for each deal.
Away from work, I enjoy all forms of sport (increasingly from the comfort of my sofa) and spending time with family and friends.
Experience highlights
- Acting for a family office on a £3.5m loan for a family office lender on land which included a vineyard
- Representing a dental business on its corporate facilities (acquisition/capex and RCF) with a mainstream lender
- Advising bridging lenders on numerous bridging loan transactions for predominantly UK-based real estate assets
- Representing a number of mainstream banks on loan products, largely for UK-based property transactions
- Acting for a private equity sponsor as borrower in respect of a €100m facility from a structured lender
