Zahra Shah

Posted on: June 20th, 2025 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens as a Senior Associate in 2025, with over 10 years of experience in residential and commercial real estate. I have extensive experience in residential and commercial property and real estate finance, having acted for landlords and tenants, developers, investors, high-net worth individuals and lenders, including specialist lenders.

I am committed to providing my clients with a pragmatic, personable, and efficient service by understanding their needs to meet their goal.

Outside of work I enjoy baking, travelling the world, going to gigs and concerts and spending time with my family and friends.

Experience highlights

  • Acting for a bridging lender on a property refinance in Central London for £4m.
  • Acting for a HNW client on the purchase of a property worth £6m.
  • Acting on a refinance of a portfolio of ten residential properties.

Laura Brown

Posted on: May 30th, 2025 by Natasha Cox

I have extensive experience advising lenders and borrowers on all aspects of real estate finance. My practice includes domestic and cross-border transactions, spanning senior, mezzanine and whole loans.

My investment expertise encompasses all asset classes, from office spaces, retail units, mixed use and leisure facilities, industrial and business parks, hotels and PBSA, including landmark buildings and large portfolios. 

I excel in managing a wide range of development finance transactions, from large scale ‘ground up’ developments to small refurbishment projects. I also advise on planning assistance and development exit loans. 

My client base includes financial institutions, senior lenders, mezzanine lenders, and bridging financiers.

I have a deep understanding of the industry and I am focused on delivering high quality pragmatic advice on transactions, irrespective of size or complexity.

Jason Wong

Posted on: May 15th, 2025 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens as an Associate from an international law firm in 2025.

I specialise in real estate finance which involves both residential and commercial properties. I act for lenders on a regular basis, including sole and dual representation. I also have extensive experience in high-value property transactions including new builds, freehold and leasehold properties.

My clientele ranges from lenders, first-time buyers, company buyers, property developers to overseas clients.

Experience highlights

  • Acted for multinational banks from the Middle East on a regular basis
  • Refinancing of a substantial property portfolio involving a £9 million loan and 37 properties.
  • Acted for lenders on loans and redemptions in relation to borrowers which are offshore companies registered in the BVI and Bermuda.
  • Acted for a HNW overseas client on the purchase of a residential property worth over £8 million.
  • Refinancing of a property in central London worth around £5 million.

Aadil Khan

Posted on: March 3rd, 2025 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens as an Associate in the Real Estate Finance Department in 2025, having previously worked at a busy West End firm. I have gained extensive experience in a broad range of real estate transactions including property acquisitions and disposals, secured lending, refinancing and bridging loans and including new build transactions.

My key priority is to adapt to the individual needs of my clients, by working closely with them and building a strong working relationship.  

Experience

  • Last minute instructions taken on a time-sensitive acquisition of a property requiring Islamic financing.
  • Acted for a lender on a £4 million refinance which included the restructuring of the limited company.
  • Urgent instructions acted upon for a commercial premise with the grant of lease for residential elements.
  • Represented a landlord on a mixed use building for a simultaneous grant of lease and re-mortgage of flats.
  • Acting for a lender on a £5 million refinance on a portfolio of residential properties.

Asal Safarabadi

Posted on: February 20th, 2025 by Natasha Cox

I am an Associate in the Real Estate Finance Department having joined Lawrence Stephens in February 2025. Since qualifying as a solicitor in 2021, I have gained experience in acting for leading banks and lenders in relation to commercial and residential property development and investment, refinances and property portfolio financing arrangements.

I pride myself in providing clear and concise legal advice to clients to navigate their transactions effectively whilst providing commercially focused solutions when required.

Experience

  • Acting for a lender on a £9.5million loan secured over a property acquisition on Bishops Avenue, Hampstead
  • Acting for a lender on a £8million loan secured over a hotel
  • Acting on the acquisition, planning, development and forward sale of a mix-used development with a gross development value (GDV) of £16.5million.
  • Acting for lender on numerous acquisitions, refinancing and development financing transactions over commercial property, land, residential portfolios, and hotels in high value prime locations.

Monty Chapman

Posted on: February 20th, 2025 by Natasha Cox

I am paralegal in the Real Estate Finance Department having joined Lawrence Stephens from Memery Crystal in 2025.

I have experience acting on a variety of commercial and residential property transactions for prominent UK lenders.

Prior to my work in real estate transactions, I worked for a leading UK firm in its financial services disputes department – representing several Big Four banks in complex litigation.

Outside of my work, I play a variety of sports and enjoy cooking.

Aminul Islam

Posted on: February 10th, 2025 by Natasha Cox

I am a Senior Associate in the Real Estate Finance department.

I have extensive experience dealing with a broad spectrum of real estate matters, consisting of but not limited to secured lending of residential and commercial real estate having acted for several institutional, second tier and specialist lenders. I have also acted for investors, developers, high-net-worth individuals (HNWI), and SMEs assisting them in diversifying their property portfolios across the UK.

Furthermore, I have a strong background in landlord and tenant matters, particularly in the grant, renewal and assignment of leases, as well as dealing with underleases, surrenders and variations. I have acted on transactions involving the letting of highly sought after commercial property in prime London locations and nationwide.

My approach is pragmatic and client-focused. Having acted for a diverse client base, I value the significance of each transaction and how the same aligns with my clients’ needs and objectives. Synonymously, I am committed to delivering a responsive, efficient, and commercially sound service and have garnered relationships with fellow industry professionals.

Outside of work, I am proud father. I have a passion for sports and enjoy football, but bear the heavy burden of being a Manchester United supporter. I have a keen interest for cars and would consider myself an enthusiast. I enjoy travelling and have visited numerous countries experiencing the wonderful cultures, cuisines and people.

Experience highlights

  • Acted on behalf of a lender client in relation to the refinancing of a portfolio of properties consisting of mixed use and residential properties for a facility of £6.8m. The security comprised 6 commercial units to the ground floor and 10 residential flats to the upper floors. The second building consisted of 20 residential flats.
  • Acted on behalf of a lender client on a transaction that involved the splitting and acquisition of a site consisting of a block of 23 flats and 6 townhouses. The facility was for a net amount of £3.7m.
  • Acted on a refinance matter for a lender client which consisted of a portfolio of 13 residential flats all on long leases and some with car parking leases. The facility was for the sum of £4.7m.
  • I acted on the acquisition, financing and subsequent sale of a small development. The client acquired two plots, one with an existing property situated on it and the other consisting of land. The plot containing the existing property was acquired first and subsequently refinanced. The value of the facility was for the sum of £2.7m and the funds were then utilized to acquire the plot comprising the land. The plots were both redeveloped to form 2 high-end residential properties. The titles were subsequently amalgamated and then split again respective to the extent of the properties. The newly built properties were then sold for £5m respectively.
  • Acted on behalf of a landlord in relation to the asset management of their freehold property in Dover street, Mayfair. We assisted the client with the lettings of their office units to the upper floors and the letting of the Sub-station to the rear. I also assisted with the means of escape issue with the adjoining owner of the property.

Teodora Valnarova

Posted on: February 10th, 2025 by Hugh Dineen-Lees

I am a solicitor in the Real Estate Finance department, advising clients on a range of property finance matters. I work with lenders, investors, and developers on transactions involving HMOs, ASTs, planning permission, development properties, and new-build financing. I aim to provide clear, practical advice to help clients sail through their transactions efficiently.

Experience highlights

  • Assisted a client with financing a portfolio of HMOs, ensuring compliance with lending and licensing requirements.
  • Advised on the purchase and funding of a new-build residential development, including planning considerations.
  • Worked on refinancing a mixed-use property portfolio, including properties under AST agreements.
  • Assisted with the refinance of a bridge loan for a development property, conducting due diligence, checking and reviewing lender requirements.
  • Acted on real estate finance transactions involving Sharia-compliant lending. 

Nikki Hashemi

Posted on: January 23rd, 2025 by Hugh Dineen-Lees

I joined the Real Estate Finance team in January 2025, specialising in a wide range of real estate transactions. These include secured lending, acquisitions and disposals of residential and commercial real estate, refinancing, transfer of equity and lease extensions.

Over the past seven years, I have built a reputation for managing complex caseloads with precision and  have delivered exceptional results for my clients.

I pride myself on my attention to detail, ability to work effectively under pressure, and strong commercial awareness. I am passionate about providing clear, practical advice and helping my clients achieve their goals, whether they are buying a home, refinancing a property, or navigating complex real estate legal issues.

Prior to qualifying as a solicitor, I worked as a property consultant, where I provided bespoke advice to clients and guided investors through property acquisitions. I also gained valuable insights into client management and negotiation skills during this time.

Outside of work, I enjoy attending reformer Pilates, yoga and fitness classes, skiing, spending time with family and socialising with friends.

Experience Highlights

  • Being a key member of the team acting for the lender on a £50million refinancing secured over seven properties in central London
  • Acting for client on transfer of equity and refinancing of a portfolio of eight residential properties

Natasha Ali

Posted on: December 12th, 2024 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens as a Real Estate Finance Solicitor in 2024, following my qualification at a West End firm in 2022. I advise clients on a wide range of real estate transactions, including property acquisitions and disposals, refinancing and restructuring, secured lending, and commercial and residential mortgages. My approach centres on building strong relationships by working closely with clients to understand their unique needs and long-term objectives.

Outside of work, I enjoy playing tennis, taking Reformer Pilates classes, and exploring new restaurants.

Experience highlights

  • Acting for a lender in providing a £9 million facility to a BVI Company that was acquiring nine off plan residential units in Central London.
  • Acting for a borrower in the acquisition of a mixed-use property using bridging finance for a sum of £1.2 million.
  • Acting for a landlord in granting a new lease for a retail unit outside of the 1954 Act and completing within a week.
  • Acting on behalf of a borrower and lender in a limited company’s restructure.
  • Acting on behalf of a landlord in granting a lease to a care home.  

     

     

Alysha Mohammed

Posted on: December 6th, 2024 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens in 2024 as a solicitor in the Real Estate Finance Borrower team. Prior to this, I completed my training contract and continued as an associate at a city law firm.

I have experience working on a wide range of transactions, including advising developers and private individuals on property portfolio refinancing, secured lending transactions, and acquiring bridging loans. I also collaborate closely with brokers and other professionals on each transaction, ensuring all parties are well informed. I am passionate about delivering successful outcomes for my clients, particularly when navigating complex transactions within tight timeframes.

Outside of work, I enjoy baking, staying active, and spending quality time with family and friends. I am also an avid traveller who loves discovering new destinations.

Lisa Goder

Posted on: December 6th, 2024 by Natasha Cox

I am a Senior Associate in the Real Estate Finance Department at Lawrence Stephens.

I have a wealth of experience in both commercial property and real estate finance and have acted for landlords and tenants, investors, developers and lenders on a variety of property related transactions.

My understanding of the London property market and my commitment to delivering tailored solutions for my clients have earned me a strong reputation in the legal sector.

I am recognised for my experience with complex and time sensitive transactions and my clients appreciate my practical and commercial based approach and trust in my ability to get the transaction completed swiftly and efficiently.

Experience highlights

  • Acting for a borrower on a complex £7 million purchase of a commercial site with bridging finance.
  • Acting for a borrower on the re-finance of a large portfolio of residential and mixed use properties with a value of £5 million.
  • Acting for a borrower in connection with the purchase of a residential development site for £3 million with development finance
  • Acting for a borrower in connection with the purchase of a residential development site with finance and the subsequent sale of each unit