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Roberto Francis

Posted on: December 6th, 2024 by Natasha Cox

I am a Senior Associate in the Real Estate Disputes Department having joined Lawrence Stephens in December 2024.

I join the firm with extensive experience acting for bridging and alternative lenders with a primary focus on secured and unsecured recoveries, which includes but is not limited to possession claims, receivership, insolvency and professional negligence.

I like to take a down to earth approach and develop strong relationships with clients, thereby ensuring that their needs and expectations are at the forefront of my mind when progressing any given matter.

Outside of work, I am a fitness enthusiast and enjoy going to the gym and running.  Over recent years I have taken part in a number of runs. When I am not training I love all things food related and like eating out with friends and family.

Experience highlights

  • Successfully obtaining a vesting order in favour of a lender
  • Acting for a lender in the settlement of a professional negligence claim prior to the issue of proceedings

Sarah Keating

Posted on: July 15th, 2024 by Hugh Dineen-Lees

I joined Lawrence Stephens in July 2024 as a paralegal in the Disputes Resolution team.

I bring over 20 years’ experience to the firm, having previously worked at a top West End law firm as a legal secretary within the Dispute Resolution department, dealing with property litigation and insolvency, bankruptcy and restructuring.

In my spare time, I enjoy reading, cooking and spending time with my two daughters.

Abtin Yeganeh

Posted on: February 28th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens in March 2023 as a Senior Associate in the Dispute Resolution department. I was promoted to my current role as a Director and Head of Real Estate Disputes in August 2024.

I deal with a wide range of matters including but not limited to, secured recoveries, party wall and developer claims, trespass, rights to light claims, professional negligence, and all landlord tenant matters relating to breaches of covenant, possession, forfeiture, insolvency, debt recovery, contested lease renewals and dilapidation claims.

I have experience of taking matters to trial in the High Court and have also been involved in a number of successful appeals before the Court of Appeal.

My clients include lenders, investors, commercial landlords, local authorities, and insolvency practitioners.

I am married with three boys and live in South West London. Outside of work my interests include football, golf and going out with family and friends.

Experience highlights 

  • Acting for a developer and London Local Authority in a High Court Rights to Light Claim
  • Advising and acting for various lenders in connection with enforceability of security documents, out of court administration appointments, receivership, obtaining vacant possession and enforcing personal guarantees.
  • Obtaining an order from the Upper Tribunal (Land Chamber) discharging a restrictive covenant under s.84 of the Law of Property Act 1925
  • Advising a bank in respect of its occupation of premises at Tower 42 on Old Broad Street and dealing with a claim by the landlord for dilapidations
  • Legget & Ors -v-Giambrone Law LLP (In Liquidation) – €3.5m group litigation claim by 43 claimants against their former solicitors, Giambrone Law (“the Firm”) over its advice the clients in a failed property development that had alleged had links to the Mafia.  It had been alleged that the Firm was under a duty to warn investors of the risks involved in investing in a part of Italy associated with organised crime
  • Acting for a BVI entity (the Applicant) for an order by the Court approving the terms of a contested lease and for it to be executed by a Judge pursuant to section 39 of the Senior Courts Act 1981
  • Successfully obtaining a vesting order against the Crown estate
  • Acting for the successful claimants in various libel claims which have included, Al-Haddad -v- BBC, Sultan Choudhury -v- The Times Newspaper Limited, Huda Television Limited -v- The Henry Jackson Society.

Alex Ronan

Posted on: February 10th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens in January 2023 as a paralegal within the Private Wealth and Succession Planning Team, before starting my training contract in September that year.  I completed seats within the Dispute Resolution, Commercial Real Estate, Employment and Sports & Entertainment teams, before qualifying into the Real Estate Disputes team within the Dispute Resolution department in September 2025.

I work on a range of contentious commercial and property matters including possession claims, breaches of contract and covenants, construction and development disputes, forfeiture matters, insolvency and much more.

Outside of the office, I’m often found out for a run, exploring new places (be that in London or further afield) and trying new restaurants with family and friends.   

Bethany Jacobs

Posted on: February 10th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens as a paralegal in 2018, qualifying as a Chartered Legal Executive in the Litigation & Dispute Resolution department in 2022. I qualified as a Solicitor in the same department in May 2024. 

I assist on a wide range of commercial and property litigation matters.

Be it fundraising or raising awareness, I regularly work alongside our former charity of the year Crohn’s and Colitis UK.  In my spare time, I enjoy exploring new restaurants and am a keen traveller.