Posted on: February 11th, 2026 by Ella Darnell
I joined Lawrence Stephens in February 2026 within the Real Estate Finance team. Prior to this, I was an SQE trainee for an international full-service law firm based in the City of London.
My experience is predominately within real estate, acting for both borrowers and bridging lenders on property transactions. I also have experience in landlord and tenant matters and acting for franchise clients on commercial lease transactions.
Outside of work, I enjoy keeping active and regularly play football and badminton.
Experience Highlights
- Acted for a publicly listed oil company in the restructuring of their commercial real estate portfolio
- Acted on a distressed refinance involving a multi-property secured lending arrangement, including supporting refinance arrangements and liaising with the lender in relation to enforcement risk
- Supported a £1m corporate acquisition involving the share purchase of a property-holding company
- Acted on a development finance transaction in connection with the development of a residential scheme comprising 10 dwellings for a corporate borrower
- Acted on a £3.5m acquisition of a commercial office building in Bracknell
Posted on: January 19th, 2026 by Ella Darnell
I am a Solicitor in the Real Estate Department at Lawrence Stephens, having joined in 2026.
I have experience in acting for lenders, borrowers and developers on a broad range of secured lending transactions including bridging loans, buy to let mortgages and development finance. With deals including a portfolio of properties, HMO licencing, AST and new build financing.
I am motivated by achieving the best possible outcomes for my clients and pride myself on delivering a high standard of client care.
Posted on: January 13th, 2026 by Ella Darnell
I joined Lawrence Stephens in 2026, as a Partner in the Real Estate Finance department. I have extensive experience advising banks, alternative lenders, and funders on a wide range of domestic and cross-border financing transactions. My practice covers real estate investment and acquisition finance, offering strategic guidance to clients navigating complex funding structures.
I have a deep understanding of lender priorities and structuring requirements, enabling me to provide practical, solutions-focused advice across all stages of a transaction. I work closely with mainstream and challenger banks, bridging lenders, mezzanine funders, and institutional investors, helping them structure and execute secured lending arrangements with confidence.
I regularly advise on financing across a range of asset classes, including residential and commercial developments, student accommodation, retail, office spaces, and mixed-use schemes. My commercial approach and ability to anticipate lender concerns make me a trusted advisor in the real estate finance sector.
Posted on: January 5th, 2026 by Ella Darnell
I Joined Lawrence Stephens in December 2025 within the Real Estate Finance team. Prior to this, I was an in-house Asset Management paralegal for a Real Estate and Development company.
My experience is predominantly within commercial real estate having started in regional firms and progressing to a city firm in Dentons, dealing with commercial contracts, dealing with landlord/tenant transactions, acquisitions and disposals, financing and tax matters.
Outside of work, I love watching and playing sports, mainly football, F1 and cricket. I also enjoy playing games, taking part in pro-bono activities. I hold a single-propeller flying license so when weather permits, flying is my go-to activity.
Posted on: October 6th, 2025 by Ella Darnell
I joined Lawrence Stephens as a Senior Associate in 2025. I am a bilingual Korean commercial real estate and real estate finance lawyer who focuses on investment and secured lending work.
Over the years, I’ve acted for a wide range of clients, including Korean banks, Korean asset managers, institutional investors, UK clearing banks, and international banks.
With over 10 years of experience in all aspects of commercial real estate transactions, my work includes acquisition, disposal, financing, and development financing of all asset types. I advise both lenders and borrowers on bilateral, syndicated, and senior and mezzanine loans.
My experience spans assets such as logistics, petrol stations, hotels, retail parks, PBSA, golf courses, care homes, and schools.
I am also experienced in project managing cross border lending transactions for Korean clients, providing efficient pragmatic legal advice that is commercially prudent.
Experience highlights
- Acting for major investment bank for the lending of £70m for the refinance and development loan for a care home portfolio.
- Acting for one of the largest Korean investment banks in refinance of cross border hotels in Spain for the syndicated lending of £50m.
- Acting for major PLC, project managing the corporate disposal of one of the largest portfolios of golf courses with the value in excess of £200m.
Posted on: October 2nd, 2025 by Ella Darnell
I am a Partner in the Real Estate Finance team at Lawrence Stephens, having joined in 2025.
I am a commercially focused real estate finance solicitor with a strong background in both commercial and residential property. Known for exceptional communication skills and a pragmatic, common-sense approach, clients rely on me for specialist legal advice during fast-moving, high-value transactions.
Highly efficient and solutions-driven, I have experience acting for lenders (primarily banks), borrowers, and on dual-representation deals. I am skilled in development finance and have a strong working knowledge of planning permission.
I consistently deliver a high volume of legal matters and complex timelines without compromising on quality. As a trusted legal advisor, I thrive under pressure and lead high-performing teams. I act for a broad range of clients, including PLCs, overseas clients, companies, trusts, and individuals.
Posted on: October 2nd, 2025 by Ella Darnell
I am a Partner in the Real Estate Finance team, having joined in 2025.
My practice focuses primarily on representing lenders in relation to their commercial, development, bridging and residential financing transactions.
I also have experience advising clients on all aspects of investment, acquisitions and disposals of commercial and residential real estate, real estate development, and corporate real estate support matters. I have particular experience in ‘co-living’, hotel and real estate/development finance deals for both lenders and borrowers. I have also advised on various cross-border acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate and finance matters, with significant experience in Central and Eastern Europe.
Experience highlights
- Advising one of the leading global co-living businesses on a broad range of matters, including real estate acquisitions, joint venture agreements, SPAs, development agreements and acquisition and development finance, in various jurisdictions including the UK, USA, Germany and Singapore
- Advised a London based property developer on £80m refinance of their residential portfolio
- Advised a Middle-Eastern investor in relation to refinance of their £450m luxury hotel portfolio in the UK
- Advising one of the leading multi-national real estate companies with business operations in Southeast Europe in relation to their hotel operations, including real estate acquisitions, development and financing
- Advised a Dutch lender on £10mil facility relating to agricultural development project in the UK
Posted on: September 1st, 2025 by Natasha Cox
I joined Lawrence Stephens as a trainee solicitor in September 2025, currently working in the Real Estate Finance team, having also worked in the Commercial Real Estate team.
After studying Law at Newcastle University, I worked as a paralegal in private practice and also in local government. I recently completed the LPC with a MSc in Law, Business and Management from the University of Law.
Outside of work, I enjoy playing football and cricket, travelling and cooking.
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.
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.
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.
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.
