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Bradley Mulhall

Posted on: July 29th, 2026 by Ella Darnell

I am an Associate in the Corporate and Commercial team, advising founders, entrepreneurs, owner-managed businesses and investors on a broad range of corporate and commercial matters. I work closely with clients to understand their objectives and provide practical, commercially focused advice at each stage of a transaction or business lifecycle.

My practice has a particular focus on private M&A. I have experience acting for both buyers and sellers on a wide range of transactions, including the acquisition and disposal of trading businesses and property-holding SPVs. I have worked on transactions across sectors including finance, technology and real estate, supporting clients from initial structuring and due diligence through to negotiation, completion and post-completion matters.

Alongside transactional work, I advise founders and SMEs throughout the lifecycle of their businesses, from initial structuring and investment rounds through to growth strategy and eventual exit. I enjoy building long-term relationships with founders and management teams, helping them navigate key commercial decisions as their businesses develop. I also advise on a range of commercial contracts and constitutional documents, including shareholders’ agreements and articles of association, and have experience with debt and structured finance matters.

I have worked with clients across a wide range of sectors, including technology, health and wellness, care homes, finance and real estate. I also have cross-border experience involving Dubai, Bermuda and other offshore jurisdictions.

Outside of work, I enjoy playing sport, particularly football and golf, travelling, and discovering new restaurants.

Experience highlights

  • Acted for a BVI corporate seller on the disposal of an FCA-regulated foreign exchange trading group, including coordination of a cross-border transaction involving a Portuguese subsidiary.
  • Advised buyers and sellers on acquisitions and disposals of property-holding SPVs across a range of real estate transactions.
  • Advised a technology start-up from inception through to market strategy and planned exit, including support on the successful protection of its market-leading technology through a global patent.
  • Advised a founder-led health and wellness business on its growth journey, including multiple SEIS and EIS investment rounds, corporate structuring and ongoing strategic advisory matters.
  • Acted for a UAE-based group on acquisitions and disposals within its portfolio of children’s nurseries, supporting the client on transactional and group structuring matters.

Demi Darbey

Posted on: July 13th, 2026 by Ella Darnell

I am a Corporate and Commercial solicitor advising founders, SMEs and investors on buying, selling and scaling businesses.

My practice focuses on private M&A, where I act for both buyers and sellers. I have experience running small to medium sell-side transactions from start to finish, as well as supporting on larger, multi-party deals. I have led transactions for SME sellers across the technology, food and beverage and healthcare sectors, and have supported on the acquisition of multiple care homes, investment into a large media company and the sale of a large construction company.

Alongside transactional work, I advise on joint ventures, corporate structuring and the legal agreements that underpin day-to-day operations. I regularly support start-ups and growing businesses with investment and shareholder arrangements, as well as commercial contracts.

I have worked with clients across a range of sectors, with particular exposure to technology and property-related investments, and have experience on cross-border matters involving India and Italy.

I am known for being responsive, commercially minded and calm under pressure, with a focus on clear communication and practical, solutions-driven advice.

Outside of work, I enjoy being outdoors with our two dogs, travelling, and exploring new restaurants.

Experience highlights

  • Acting for the sellers in their sale of the entire issued share capital of a SaaS company to a large corporation, which involved a drag-along mechanism, liaising with the Bona Vacantia Division, and EMI Shares.
  • Acting for the seller in his sale of two veterinary practices to their respective management teams (MBO’s).
  • Advising an interior design agency on multiple cross-border B2B services agreements.
  • Acting for a property developer on multiple £20m bridging finance loans, working closely with our property and banking and finance teams. The latest transaction involved Jersey companies.
  • Acting for a corporate purchaser on its acquisition of multiple care homes in the UK.

Andrea Covolan

Posted on: February 23rd, 2026 by Ella Darnell

I joined Lawrence Stephens in 2026 as a Senior Associate, and am a corporate M&A solicitor with significant experience advising on private mergers and acquisitions, as well as venture capital and private equity transactions.

Alongside transactional work, I provide advice on a broad range of corporate matters, including shareholders agreements, share option schemes, joint ventures, growth share arrangements, and commercial agreements.

Dual-qualified in the UK and Italy, I have regularly assisted clients on cross-border transactions, with particular expertise in investments between the UK and Italy but also other foreign jurisdictions.

Over the years, I have helped clients across a diverse range of sectors, including food & beverage, fashion, entertainment, manufacturing, financial advisory, and technology.

In my spare time, I enjoy travelling, cooking and playing tennis.

Experience Highlights

  • Advising a hotels and restaurants supplier in the purchase of the entire capital of a competing business
  • Acting for the seller of a financial advisory business in the sale of the entire capital of the trading company and several financial advisory businesses, which were purchased by a UK financial advisory group
  • Advising the seller on the sale of business and assets, which included four leisure centres based in different locations in the UK, to a listed company
  • Acting for the sellers of a travel agency in the sale of the entire capital of the company to a private equity-backed buyer
  • Advising an Italian listed company in the purchase of a majority stake in a UK tech company with subsidiaries in UAE and Pakistan

Emma Benson

Posted on: October 6th, 2025 by Ella Darnell

I joined Lawrence Stephens in October 2025, currently in the Corporate Commercial team, following work experience the year prior.

I graduated from the University of Birmingham with a BA (Hons) in Liberal Arts and Sciences (Law), as well as completing a year abroad at the University of Waterloo (Canada) – specialising in Canadian Law and Spanish. I have recently completed the PgDL from the University of Law.

Outside of work, I enjoy keeping fit through the gym and padel tennis; I also thoroughly enjoy baking.

Ryan D’Souza

Posted on: September 29th, 2025 by Natasha Cox

I have over 20 years of experience specialising in corporate & commercial law.

I advise on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, corporate restructuring and private equity across a broad range of business sectors and jurisdictions. 

My practice includes the sale or disposal of Lloyd’s insurance market entities, advising in the blockchain and crypto-asset sector, drafting bespoke commercial documents for companies, shareholders and partnerships, and providing counsel on all aspects of employment law.   

I hold an MBA, which provides a unique insight into the needs of a business.  I am also a Solicitor-Advocate, having been called to the Bar (Lincoln’s Inn, 2003), enabling an understanding of contentious issues that clients find reassuring in commercial transactions.

Leigh Sayliss

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 Chair of the CIOT Property Taxes Committee and a member of HMRC working groups in relation to Stamp Duty Land Tax and construction matters.  From 2017 to 2025, I was Editor of the land-related sections of Thomson Reuters’ ‘Monroe and Nock on the law of Stamp Duties‘.

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

Stephen Dodge

Posted on: October 2nd, 2024 by Hugh Dineen-Lees

I joined Lawrence Stephens in September 2024 as a trainee solicitor after completing a law conversion course at City, University of London with First Class Honours.

I grew up in Toronto, Canada and in 2017 obtained a Bachelor of Commerce, specialising in strategic management with a minor in economics at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management.

Prior to changing careers to work in law, I was Chief Operating Officer of a biotechnology startup that developed AI systems to treat and manage diabetes.

Before joining Lawrence Stephens, I worked as a pro bono paralegal for a West London charity where I conducted several successful benefits appeals with clients living with serious physical and mental disability. 

In my spare time I enjoy running, cycling and rock climbing.

Harshita Samani

Posted on: January 15th, 2024 by Yvonne Uzoka

I am a dual-qualified solicitor with extensive experience in advising a broad range of clients, including entrepreneurs, management teams, SMEs, and mid to large private and public companies, on a wide range of corporate transactions. With a strong cross-border practice spanning the UK and India, I provide strategic, commercially focused legal advice tailored to each client’s unique goals.

I lead on all aspects of the transaction lifecycle, from due diligence and disclosure to negotiating share or asset purchase agreements all the way through to completion. My expertise includes asset and share sales and purchases, corporate reorganisations, and strategic investments across a wide range of sectors such as real estate, insurance, IT, retail, hospitality, transport, media and technology, healthcare, cryptocurrency, and aviation.

In addition to transactional work, I advise on a variety of commercial agreements, including:

  • Loan and investment agreements
  • Shareholder and joint venture agreements
  • Introducer, distribution and reseller agreements
  • SaaS and other technology-related contracts
  • Terms and conditions, internal policies, and operational procedures

This expertise includes supporting clients in the recruitment, consultancy, medical cannabis, crypto, blockchain, IT, fintech, and education sectors. I also offer comprehensive guidance on GDPR compliance, data protection strategies, and cross-border data transfer agreements, helping clients navigate complex regulatory environments with confidence.

 Experience Highlights:

  • Advising on the strategic acquisition of an FCA-regulated business in the UK
  • Lead counsel on the £200m sale of a global IT company, coordinating with overseas counsel
  • Advised on the £30m sale of a UK-based freight forwarding company
  • Managed a corporate reorganisation followed by a £20m sale of a global transport and logistics group
  • Advised a special purpose vehicle on the corporate aspects of a residential complex sale in London’s Zone 1
  • Advised a leading Paris-headquartered security and fire safety company on multiple acquisitions in the UK and Ireland
  • Advised a private equity fund on investment agreements in decarbonisation, sustainable energy, and social impact ventures

Heather Ramsey

Posted on: October 4th, 2023 by Yvonne Uzoka

I qualified as a solicitor in September 2025, having joined Lawrence Stephens as a trainee in 2023. I am part of the Tax team, where I advise on a wide range of matters including tax on corporate transactions and SDLT. I also have a background in family law which helps me to advise clients sensitively and professionally.

My practice includes working with professionals, tax advisors, SME businesses, high-net-worth (HNW) and ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) individuals, often involving complex financial arrangements. I work closely with colleagues across our firm in Farringdon to deliver tailored, strategic advice to our clients.

I studied Jurisprudence at the University of Oxford, followed by an LLM with SQE at the University of Law.

Outside of work, I enjoy F1 and exploring new restaurants across London.

Experience Highlights

  • Working on a cross-jurisdictional pre-nuptial agreement with significant assets in trust.
  • Assisting on the M v F [2025] EWFC 257 (B) to achieve the result of a ‘lives with’ order for the mother with an order for no contact with the father

Steven Bernstein

Posted on: February 13th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I am co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lawrence Stephens and bring with me over 30 years of legal experience.

I have carved out my position by acting for large corporates and owner-managed businesses, as well as establishing a large client base in the regulated and non-regulated banking and secured lending market.

My main practice has evolved from corporate and commercial law to include banking and other forms of lending.  My corporate advice covers mergers and acquisitions, business acquisitions and disposals, management buy-out and buy-ins and private equity transactions.  My commercial practice largely focuses on joint venture and shareholder agreements, loan notes, and franchise agreements.

In my banking and secured lending practice, I advise regulated and unregulated lenders and borrowers who operate primarily in the real estate market in connection with loan facility agreements (including Loan Market Association documents), security documents and intercreditor deeds.

I focus, in particular, on entrepreneurs and owner-managed businesses who are looking to establish, fund, grow and ultimately exit their businesses. 

As a business owner myself, I believe my greatest asset to be an ability to understand my client’s businesses and key objectives through both an entrepreneurial and commercial lens.  My open-minded and approachable manner ensures objectives are met within the desired timeframe.  This largely comes down to my commitment to working collaboratively with clients — a feature I have taken care to embed into Lawrence Stephens’ approach.

In my spare time, I enjoy attending Spurs matches, the theatre, and have recently discovered exercise.  I have a wife and three daughters and am based in London.

Experience highlights

  • Acting for the owners of a car bodyshop repair business trading from in excess of 10 sites on the sale of their business by way of a trade sale to a competitor
  • Acting over the last 2 years on more than 50 corporate acquisitions for a large investment fund engaged in a “buy & build” strategy for the fund’s four portfolio companies, which companies are acquiring business in the following sectors: (i) dental laboratories (ii) risk and compliance, (iii) energy efficiency, and (iv) procurement
  • Acting on a £10m fundraise from Investec in order to fund the client’s acquisition strategy
  • Establishing a large number of employee share option and employee growth share schemes for businesses engaged in various sectors as a means of incentivising and retaining key staff pending an exit
  • Acting on the sale of a large number of companies engaged as property-holding single-purpose vehicles
  • Drafting a full suite of loan facilities and security documents for companies establishing as regulated and unregulated lenders in the bridging and buy-to-let markets

Jeff Rubenstein

Posted on: February 10th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

As Head of our Corporate and Commercial department, I have over 30 years’ experience in various transactional corporate matters, from once in a lifetime sale of a business, to advising corporate clients on strategic acquisitions and expansion plans.

I lead by providing an exceptional and detail-orientated level of service which enables the deal to be done in a timely and efficient manner. 

My clients include owner-managed businesses, entrepreneurial individuals, and large corporate entities.  My work focuses primarily, but not exclusively, on the technology (including print management and IT services), recruitment, wealth management, financial services, insurance, publishing, events, engineering, manufacturing, sports and fashion sectors.  I typically work on transactions in the £1m to £35m range.  Many of my relationships with my clients span more than 20 years, demonstrating the value and importance I place on building lasting, personal connections. 

Never one to shy away from complex transactions, I like to get right to the heart of the commercial issues at play. By analysing the fine print and astutely assessing the risks, I enable my clients to remain one step ahead at all times. 

I am married and have two adult daughters and three grandsons.  When not working or spending time with my family,  I can be found supporting my local community where I volunteer for various charities and participate in fundraising activities.  I also find the time to play golf, watch football (as a long-suffering Spurs season ticket holder) and cycle.

Experience highlights 

  • Acting for HFMC Group, a leading wealth and asset management advisory business in connection with a strategic acquisition of a competitor as part of the consolidation taking place within the financial services sector
  • Advising ITEC Group in connection with the acquisition of various companies in the print management and IT services sectors as part of an international growth strategy. To include, Portrayal Limited; Time Business Systems Limited; Citrus Digital Limited; Stem Networks Limited; Reflex Digital Solution Limited; Mail A Doc Limited and Criterion IT Limited
  • Advising the shareholders of ITEC Connect Limited in connection with the sale of their UK businesses to Xerox (UK) Limited
  • Advising the shareholders of a well-known construction and infrastructure group in the UK in connection with a sale to the management team
  • Acted for GOT Capital Limited, the B2B lending business, in agreeing loan facilities with Shawbrook Bank to support the growth strategy of the company
  • Acting on the sale of a number of general insurance broker businesses as a result of consolidation taking place within the general insurance industry
  • Acting for Scutum Group UK Limited in connection with the purchase of a number of alarm maintenance and monitoring businesses in the UK

Avni Patel

Posted on: February 10th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens as a trainee solicitor in 2022 and qualified into the Corporate and Commercial team in September 2024.

I work on all aspects of corporate and commercial law, including share and asset sales, acquisitions, company restructuring and shareholder agreements across a range of industries.

I completed an undergraduate degree in History and Spanish at Durham University. I then went on to work in legal publishing for six years, alongside which I completed the GDL and LPC at BPP University in London.

In my spare time, I enjoy travelling, running, reading and exploring the restaurants and cafes around London.