Search and find what you need faster.

Joel Wish

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

Sophie McCabe

Posted on: September 1st, 2025 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens as a Trainee Solicitor in September 2025 and currently work in the Banking team, having also worked in the Private Wealth and Succession Planning team.

After graduating Northumbria University with a BSc in Psychology with Sports Science, I went on to complete the GDL and LPC with LLM.

Outside of work I play rugby and have travelled internationally to play rugby 7s. I also enjoy going to the gym and spending time with family and friends.

Steve Clinning

Posted on: February 17th, 2025 by Natasha Cox

I am a Partner in the Banking team with specialist experience having spent 12 years in the finance industry before deciding to retrain as a solicitor. I qualified in 2002 and have acted on matters across a mix of borrower and lender work. I joined Lawrence Stephens in February 2025, having spent three years at Memery Crystal.

I advise both borrowers and lenders on a range of transactions including general property finance, corporate acquisition work, hotel finance, trading business finance, development finance and asset finance, and have established long-term partnerships with several high-volume lending clients.

The experience I have gained from working for lenders gives me a unique insight into how they approach questions of risk and security. This insight brings an extra dimension to my advice on transactions to both lenders and borrowers and ensures that transactions progress smoothly from instruction through to completion.

I aim to understand and anticipate my clients’ requirements and to develop longstanding relationships with all of them. I always adopt a commercial and pragmatic approach giving sensible advice on often complex transactions.

Experience

  • Acting for Octopus in a facility of £60million to finance the acquisition of a potential gigafactory site in Somerset called ‘This is Gravity’. A particularly exciting matter as the site has recently been acquired by Jaguar Land Rover/Tata and was featured on BBC News
  • Acting for a lender in a £100million+ facility to finance a series of static caravan sites in the West Country and including the funding of an amusement park in Cornwall
  • Acting for a borrower in the funding of two hotels in Liverpool and Manchester being funded by HSBC and Lloyds, total debt involved was circa £170million
  • Confidential matter acting for a lender on a £26million funding of a large development site in Liverpool. The land in question was split into two parts with the first being used for the construction of a student hall of residence and the second for a boutique hotel
  • Acting for a lender in the funding of a site with planning in Swindon involving an advance of £66million, this was the biggest transaction in respect of single asset security for the lender in question.

Mithushan Sivagurunathar

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

Jules Doughty

Posted on: January 24th, 2025 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens as a Paralegal in January 2025, with four years’ experience at multinational, Silver Circle, and American law firms.

I have worked with large commercial banks, investment funds and borrowers on multi-jurisdictional and UK-focussed deals, ranging from £150million to £1.2billion. I have extensive experience project-managing multi-jurisdictional transactions to ensure that local regulatory requirements and deadlines are met.

Outside of work, I enjoy design, skiing, and adding to my collection of leather-bound books.

Lucy-Jane Barnett

Posted on: June 25th, 2024 by Yvonne Uzoka

I joined the Lawrence Stephens’ Banking team in July 2024. Prior to this, I worked at a Magic Circle firm specialising in real estate finance.

I have a breadth of experience acting for large commercial banks, investment funds, property management companies and borrowers on multi-jurisdictional and UK-focused deals involving commercial real estate, including office space, BTR, hotels, retail, warehouse and logistics. I also have extensive experience working on international transactions, including various offshore jurisdictions and the many intricacies associated with these deals.

My primary focus is on secured lending transactions, including investment and development finance matters, from deal originations to refinancing and loan/property management assistance. 

Outside of the office, I love to travel, exploring different cultures and trying different cuisines, but when in London I enjoy spin classes and reading.

Alex Edwards

Posted on: June 21st, 2024 by Hugh Dineen-Lees

I have over 10 years’ post qualification experience of acting for a wide range of lenders, financial institutions, sponsors and corporate borrowers on all forms of finance transactions ranging from £100,000 up to £80m, with a particular focus on real estate finance.

I advise on senior and mezzanine loan origination, equity investments, loan restructuring and enforcement across a wide variety of asset classes and often with cross border elements, regularly working with lawyers in off shore jurisdictions such as the BVI, Guernsey and Luxembourg. 

I advise developers and funders on real estate development projects and in addition to documenting and negotiating acquisition and development finance documents, I also advise on joint venture agreements and the preparation and negotiation of industry standard and bespoke construction documents.

Alex Ruder

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.

Ashley Wright

Posted on: February 28th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I am an experienced finance lawyer, responsible for executing transactions on behalf of banks, alternative lenders, sponsors and borrowers. During my career I have acted for numerous leading underwriters and top-tier and mid-market sponsors in the European market and have spent time on secondment (in the loan finance and structured finance legal teams) at an international investment bank.

My practice encompasses all forms of lending. This ranges from leveraged finance transactions (acquisition financing, unitranche and PIK loans), real estate finance (investment, development and bridge lending), general corporate lending (RCFs and term loans) and more bespoke funding structures (margin lending, factoring, loan-on-loan and participation agreements).

To date, I have advised on hundreds of deals from term sheet stage, through document negotiation, to signing and completion and managing any post-close matters. I mix sensible legal advice on key risk points with an eye on the commercial imperatives and flow of a transaction.

Away from work, I enjoy all forms of sport (especially rugby and running) and spending time with family and friends.

Experience highlights 

  • Acting for a sponsor on a €100million term loan with a European credit fund
  • Acting for a sponsor on a unitranche and acquisition finance facility with private debt fund Eurazeo
  • Acting for a sponsor on £52million acquisition facility and RCF with the private debt fund arm of an international bank
  • Acting for a borrower in respect of a £25million loan-on-loan RCF with the fintech bank OakNorth
  • Acting for a London based developer on a bespoke £12million financing package (including with a crowd funding platform and a sales guarantee)
  • Acting for approximately 15 UK based lenders on real estate finance and general corporate lending matters

Ewan Ooi

Posted on: February 27th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I qualified into Lawrence Stephens’ Banking team in September 2025, having completed a training contract at the firm.

I graduated with a law degree from the University of Bristol in September 2020, before going on to complete the Bar Practice Course with LLM in 2021.  I was called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn in March 2022.  After completing the Bar, I had a change of heart and completed the LPC at BPP University in September 2022.

Outside of law, I enjoy my wine, having completed my WSET Level 2 award in wines.

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

Ajoy Bose-Mallick

Posted on: February 15th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens as Head of Banking in September 2022, having led the Real Estate Finance department at a Top 200 UK law firm for almost five years. 

I act for a wide range of different lenders, non-bank lenders, alternative lenders, entrepreneurs, private family offices, property companies, funds, sponsors, developers, joint venture vehicles, entrepreneurs and borrowers on real estate investment and development finance projects across the UK ranging from £100,000 to £75m.

The bulk of the transactions I advise on are between £1m and £50m and span a wide variety of asset classes including residential, office, PRS, student accommodation, mixed use schemes, hotel, retail and buy to let projects.  I also have extensive experience working on transactions which involve international elements and offshore jurisdictions and working for international based clients looking to invest in the UK on property transactions.

I enjoy working with a variety of different clients from the individual investor to the family office or corporate institution or variety of different lenders and no one client is the same.  I enjoy advising my clients on a wide range of issues (not exclusively related to just Banking and Real Estate Finance).  In addition to documenting and negotiating transactions, I advise on structuring deals and on real estate financing issues and have also been on secondment to a clearing bank.

Experience highlights 

  • Acting for a wide range of different bridging lenders, clearing banks, alternative lenders, private banks and non-bank lenders in respect of numerous investment and development facilities for numerous real estate transactions ranging between £250,000 to £75m for UK-based and international borrowers across different asset classes such as residential, PRS, commercial, office, student accommodation, retail and mixed use schemes
  • Advising a private equity fund in connection with a £200m investment in a UK development finance lending platform, to assist an alternative lender in providing development finance in the UK residential market
  • Advising a privately owned family property company based in the UK in connection with a £33m senior loan facility for a mixed portfolio of properties in Chelsea
  • Acting for a group of investors on the £5m bridging, £35m development finance, £35m investment finance and eventual sale of a 750 bed PRS scheme in North England to an international buyer
  • Advising the borrower on the £65m refinancing of an office development in the City of London and subsequent partial debt transfer to a senior lender
  • Advising a senior lender in respect of a £5m refinancing secured on a range of residential buy to let properties
  • Acted for an alternative lender providing a secured property finance facility for the development of a student accommodation block in North England with a gross development value of £20m
  • Acted for a lender in relation to the £20m refinancing of a student accommodation scheme in Bristol, which involved finance, real estate and construction advice
  • Advising various listed managed funds in relation to numerous financings totalling £500m with different lenders in respect of the purchase of over 100 properties ranging from residential, mixed use and commercial investments and developments in the UK
  • Advising a UK property development company in connection with a £5m term loan provided by a local authority to fund the forward purchase and development of an office building
  • Acting for a private family based property company on the £15m development finance of a student accommodation project with an alternative lender

Milana Katz

Posted on: February 10th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I am a banking and finance Partner specialising in real estate finance and corporate lending. My client portfolio comprises of major UK banks, alternative lenders, funds and borrowers.  

Since qualifying into the Banking team at Lawrence Stephens in November 2019, I have developed my real estate finance banking practice by acting for clients on term and bridging facilities on both a regulated and unregulated basis to enable the completion of purchases, refinances and developments across a variety of real estate asset classes including residential properties, hotels, student accommodations, nurseries and care homes. 

I have extensive experience in advising on bilateral and syndicated loans as well as funding lines and loan-on-loan facilities. I regularly complete deals with cross border elements where I instruct lawyers in jurisdictions such as the BVI, Jersey, Guernsey, Scotland and RAK ICC to provide capacity and authority legal opinions.

On the corporate lending side, I continue to assist lenders and borrowers alike on revolving credit facilities and other financial arrangements to help meet the businesses’ expansion plans and working capital requirements.

I have also undertaken a client secondment to OakNorth Bank Plc where I advised on a broad range of finance deals spanning both the UK and the US.

Lastly, I pride myself on being responsive, commercial, reliable and taking a solutions focused approach to my transactions.

When I am not getting deals over the line, I enjoy spending time with my two children, Leo and Goldie, as well as my husband (in that order).

Experience highlights 

  • Completed a £40million investment loan facility for a UK challenger bank to assist their borrower in the acquisition of several residential properties with a pre-let in place to registered care providers and to also fund minor refurb capex for properties as required
  • Acted on behalf of a bank to provide loan facilities in the aggregate amount of £7million to a residential and nursing home for older people provider to enable them to acquire a number of care homes in the counties adjoining Staffordshire and other key locations across the Midlands and South Wales, which was a deal that necessitated a collaborative approach from our corporate, banking and real estate finance teams
  • Advised a Danish limited partnership in relation to a £2.9million refinance secured against a purpose-built detached health and fitness centre currently operated by Nuffield Health
  • Advised a UK bank on a £7million trading business loan facility secured against a prominent hotel in Nottingham operating under a franchise agreement to a Guernsey registered borrower with a number of international shareholders to refinance its existing debt and provide equity cash-out to the ultimate beneficial owner (UBO)
  • Acted on a circa £2.5million loan-on-loan facility where I advised both the bank that was providing back-to-back financing and the lender that made the loan available to the ultimate borrower
  • Negotiated a £10million uncommitted revolving funding line facility on behalf of an established bridging lender
  • Advised a bridging lender on a circa £12million bridge loan to be used to purchase freehold land with vacant possession and finance development costs associated with the change of use from office to residential under permitted development rights with planning to provide 163 flats