Posted on: April 14th, 2026 by Ella Darnell
I joined Lawrence Stephens in April 2026 as a Partner in the Private Wealth and Succession Planning team. Prior to joining Lawrence Stephens I have been part of, and grown and led, private client teams and been a key ambassador in the wider private wealth sectors.
I have experience in looking after individuals, families, and family businesses who need help with asset protection, succession and estate planning, trusts and family investment companies, family governance and capital taxes. I have also helped charities, trustees and beneficiaries, and family offices. As well as non-contentious advice, I have experience in helping clients with contentious matters, particularly where the softer skills of negotiation and navigation of trigger issues is needed to avoid litigation, and supporting dispute resolution colleagues with fully litigious matters.
A lot of my work over the years has had an international dimension, and I advise both UK and international clients.
Posted on: March 14th, 2025 by Natasha Cox
I head up the Lawrence Stephens Tax team. A versatile Chartered Tax Advisor, I pride myself on providing astute, clear-cut advice on property, corporate and employment taxes in particular.
Prior to qualifying as a lawyer, I spent 20 years as a professional engineer. My background in industry helps me bring a commercial understanding to the transactions with which I am involved. I am a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) and a Chartered Engineer.
I am editor of the land-related sections of ‘Monroe and Nock on the law of Stamp Duties‘. I am Chair of the CIOT Property Taxes Committee and a member of HMRC working groups in relation to Stamp Duty Land Tax and construction matters.
Experience
- Advising on tax aspects of a wide range of corporate sales and acquisitions
- Advising on, and structuring, incentive arrangements for key employees
- Advising on structuring for commercial and residential property acquisitions and property development
- Advising on, and negotiating settlements of, disputes with HMRC
