Lawrence Stephens

We are a *team of bright minds

Practice areas:
Expertise includes:
  • Banking
  • Bridging Finance
  • Development Finance
  • Real Estate Finance
Jennie Says:
“My talent is bringing efficiency, expertise and clear communication to complex, fast-paced transactions in the secured lending arena.”

Meet Jennie

I am a Senior Associate specialising in high-volume, fast-paced bridging transactions for mid-market lenders, dealing with both regulated and unregulated loans.

My experience includes advising on all types of loans from simple closed bridges to large-scale development loans and high-value portfolio refinances, with complementary knowledge in property issues, banking, planning and trust matters. I also consult on complex registrations, unregistered land and registration errors.

I am typically instructed on complex loans, as clients have confidence in my ability to navigate through a myriad of issues, explaining the risks to them in a clear and concise way enabling them to make commercial decisions.

Prior to working in law, I spent 14 years in the West End working as a sub-editor, designer, and production editor for various financial, business and IT magazines, including time spent at The Guardian and Observer newspapers. Given my background in journalism, I am a keen writer of law articles online and have written games reviews for magazines.

Outside of work, I promote careers in law by regularly exhibiting at careers events for young people. I also enjoy travelling with my family and spending time in the garden.

Experience highlights 

  • Acted on the refinancing of three aparthotels in central Liverpool, secured by three cross-collateralised loan facilities with a combined loan amount of more than £4m. The three loans raised a number of particularly complex issues, due to the involvement of a SIPP fund, mental capacity aspects, trust issues and the refinance of a fluctuating credit facility
  • Acted on a £8.6m development funding for the demolition and rebuilding of houses on the Chelsea Embankment. The number of neighbouring properties benefiting from rights over the development site made for a tricky title reporting job
  • Acted on an acquisition and refinance of a number of shopping arcades, including “The Quadrant” in Romford
  • Acted on a £3.4m refinance of a Grade II listed building in York with planning consent for conversion to mixed use retail and aparthotel, while the borrower looks for development funding. This included negotiation of a deed of priority with mezzanine lender, and reporting on a flying freehold and defective title insurance