Amy Luhmann

Posted on: January 6th, 2025 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens as a Paralegal in January 2025 in the Residential Real Estate department.

Prior to joining Lawrence Stephens, I gained four years of new build experience within plot sales acting for Housing Associations. I am currently working towards gaining my CILEx Lawyer qualification.

Outside of work I enjoy visiting new countries with family and friends. I also like to keep fit by going to the gym.

Sophia Ali

Posted on: January 6th, 2025 by Natasha Cox

I joined the Residential Real Estate Team at Lawrence Stephens in 2025. Prior to this, I worked in the new build team of a regional firm for six years. I have acted for a range of clients, from first-time buyers to clients purchasing retirement properties. The developers I worked with would use our team as the ‘panel’ (or preferred) solicitor for their purchasers, showcasing our knowledge and expertise in this area. 

My focus is always on providing clear advice, ensuring my clients feel supported and informed at every stage of their journey. I pride myself on delivering a seamless experience, resolving challenges efficiently, and building strong relationships with both clients and developers, based on trust and results.

Outside of the office, I enjoy cooking, baking & attending family gatherings. 

Experience highlights

  • Acted for a first-time buyer on the purchase of a flat for over £2 million.
  • Worked in a small team acting for purchasers completing on 40 properties in one day.

Christine Chan

Posted on: November 29th, 2024 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens’ Residential Real Estate team as a paralegal in May 2024.

Prior to this, I gained valuable experience working at a London law firm after completing my Bachelor’s degree in Law and the Legal Practice Course.

I have experience in assisting a wide range of residential property matters for both domestic and international clients, including private companies and high-net-worth individuals.

Having grown up in Hong Kong, I possess a rich cultural background that encompasses both British and Asian influences, enabling me to provide exceptional legal services that address the needs of our diverse clientele.

Outside of work, I am an avid traveller who loves exploring new destinations.

Mikaehla Siscar

Posted on: October 29th, 2024 by Hugh Dineen-Lees

I joined Lawrence Stephens in April 2024, bringing with me two years of experience in the new build sector. I hold an undergraduate degree in Law and completed both the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and a Master’s in Law, Business, and Management at the University of Law. Prior to joining Lawrence Stephens, I worked in the new build department, representing well-known developers across London, where I gained extensive experience acting for sellers and buyers.

Outside of my legal practice, I enjoy cooking and staying active at the gym. As a passionate music enthusiast, I share insights on various music genres through social media and play the guitar in my free time.

Misha Mayet

Posted on: October 24th, 2024 by Hugh Dineen-Lees

I joined Lawrence Stephens’ Residential Real Estate team as a solicitor in 2024, having completed my training contract at a West End law firm. 

I started my legal career as a paralegal in the residential real estate department of a West End law firm in 2019, it was then that my passion for this area of law developed. When I am asked why this area of law, the answer really is simple – the elation I feel when I complete on a transaction and congratulate my clients on their beautiful new home is a feeling that drives me and encourages me to be the best version of myself for my clients.

I have had the opportunity to work on a broad variety of transactions from first-time buyers to high-net-worth-individuals as well as overseas clients who have a plethora of properties in prime central London.

Outside of work I am an avid baker and enjoy hosting my family and friends. I also love travelling, especially somewhere warm and by a beach.

Experience Highlights

  • Acting on several prime central London property sales and purchases including a sale of an £11m leasehold property in Kensington and an £18m leasehold purchase in Westminster
  • Acting on the purchase of £5m new build leasehold property in the Mandarin Oriental Residences

Oliver Corbally

Posted on: October 8th, 2024 by Hugh Dineen-Lees

After graduating from Exeter University with a 2.1 degree in Law with Business, I completed my LPC LLM at the University of Law, achieving a distinction.

Outside of work, I enjoy going to the gym, watching football and spending time with friends and family.

Nicole Chi Kiu Chan

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

I joined Lawrence Stephens as an Associate in 2024. Experienced in high-value property transactions including new builds, freehold and leasehold purchases, sales, and refinancing transactions. 

My primary client base focuses on HNW private clients as well as overseas investors from Asia.

My background of growing up in Hong Kong and multilingual skills effectively support a diverse client base and ensure that clients receive tailored, smooth, and satisfactory conveyance transaction experience.

Experience highlights 

Acting on several prime London property purchases and sales, including:

  • £12m purchase at the Chelsea Barracks
  • £2.5m purchase in Kensington
  • £2m sale at Battersea Power Station
  • £4.2m historical freehold residential purchase
  • Purchase portfolio of 12 new build properties with a total value over £15m. 

Wenxi Zhou

Posted on: October 31st, 2023 by Yvonne Uzoka

I initially came to the UK from China to study in 2005, before moving to South Korea in 2011 and living in San Jose (USA) for a year. Having obtained a LLM in International Business Law from the University of Manchester and both LLB and LLM Honours degrees from the University of Law, I qualified as a UK solicitor.

Upon my return to the UK in 2015, I began my journey within the real estate industry. I focused on residential conveyancing, dealing with all matters relating to residential property, whilst also undertaking commercial property transactions. My experience includes acting for high-net-worth-individuals, companies, property developers and banks.

I am familiar with the issues and obstacles overseas buyers encounter when they are investing in the UK property market. I provide a bespoke and premium service to my clients and am particularly experienced in acting for high-net-worth-individuals from Asia investing in prime location properties in London. My background, language skills and professionalism ensure the conveyancing process my clients experience is efficient and smooth. 

Outside of work, I love spend time with my family, especially my daughter. I love running, ice skating, play golf and skiing.

Experience highlights 

  • Acting on a £30m residential purchase in Holland Park
  • Instructed on a £24m residential acquisition in Hanover Square, Mayfair
  • Acting on a £15.25m Grade II listed Victorian House in St Johns Wood
  • Acting on a £12m Grade II listed prestigious apartment in Hyde Park Gardens
  • Acting on £9m new build flats portfolio purchase for an overseas investor in One Park Drive
  • Acting on purchases of £7.5m and £6.6m leasehold flats in a prestigious Grade II listed mansion building in Kensington
  • Advising on a purchase of £6.5m Grade II listed Victorian House in St Johns Wood
  • Instructed on the sale of £5.5m luxury apartment in Chiltern Place
  • Advising on the acquisition of investment properties in central London with complex islamic finance

Zehra Salih

Posted on: October 12th, 2023 by Yvonne Uzoka

I joined Lawrence Stephens’ Residential Real Estate department in August 2023 and earned my degree in LLB Law in 2020. I will now be embarking on my SQE journey.

Prior to joining Lawrence Stephens, I gained 2 years of experience in residential real estate, specialising in new build and buy-to-let transactions.

In my spare time, I enjoy cooking and take pleasure in discovering new restaurants. Travelling and exploring new destinations are some of my passions.

Claire Allan

Posted on: August 7th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

As an award-winning enfranchisement specialist, I advise leaseholders and landlords in this complex field, navigating them through the statutory lease extension or collective enfranchisement process.

I have acted on some significant prime central London enfranchisements.  I provide practical advice to property owners, family offices, developers, investors, international and local corporates, high-net-worth individuals, private equity firms, sellers, purchasers, lenders and borrowers – particularly those on the London Landed Estates such as Cadogan Estate, Grosvenor Estate, John Lyon’s Charity Estate and Wellcome Trust.  I provide added value to my clients by being able to advise on all aspects of enfranchisement – a true hybrid of non-contentious and contentious work. 

Drawing on an expansive range of experience, I have a track record of leading, structuring and executing complicated enfranchisement transactions for a broad spectrum of clients.  I combine a deep understanding of the law, based on more than 15 years’ experience, with a willingness to develop creative solutions for her clients.  As a thoughtful strategist and a tenacious champion of my clients’ interests, I have attracted a host of respected clients. 

I have extensive experience in handling transactions against special categories of landlord including Ecclesiastical landlords and the Crown.  I further advise on vesting orders in relation to missing/absent landlord claims.

Experience highlights 

  • Acquiring the freehold of a prestigious block of flats from a central London freehold estate together with an intermediary leasehold interest and porter’s flat. Negotiating the freehold transfer deed free from onerous restrictive covenants
  • Structuring and advising on a valuable house claim so as to obtain the freehold under the Leasehold Reform Act 1967
  • Leading and successfully completing on a 115 flat collective claim in one of London’s Royal boroughs

Sarah Gallagher

Posted on: August 3rd, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens in 2023, with nearly a decade’s prior experience working in the new build real estate market.

My primary client base is formed of purchasers of both leasehold and freehold new build properties, inside and outside of the Greater London area and developers selling plots at a variety of developments. Whilst my specialism is largely new build work, I also act for those selling and purchasing residential properties of all varieties, including shared ownership, HNW and UHNW.

I have acted as the recommended solicitor on several developments constructed by national housing developers of a household name, ensuring an efficient service whilst also ensuring that my client’s needs were prioritised throughout. More recently, I acted on a prime Manchester development, whereby I personally dealt with the exchange of over 200 plots within a four-month period.

I pride myself on providing a high level of service to each of my clients, applying specialist technical knowledge to each case but also remaining approachable and prioritising each client’s individual needs. I maintain a risk adverse but commercially sensitive approach and always make myself available for any queries that my clients might need answered.

I have been recognised within the new build market as providing an efficient, structured and detailed service to my clients, with previous clients describing me as “dealing with the whole process with a professionalism, speed and warmth that all solicitors should aspire to”.

In my spare time,  I enjoy cooking (and, of course, the resultant eating). I also try to go out running at least twice a week, although the arrival of my son late last year has meant that most of the running that I do currently is after him.

Experience highlights 

  • Acted for a prominent international ultra-high net worth client purchasing at the Battersea Power Station Development for over £4m
  • Acted for clients purchasing through an assignment, where instructed both before and after notice to complete had been served
  • Acted for a high-net-worth client purchasing 10 units at a development for a collective price of over £8m

Aaron Rajan

Posted on: March 28th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens’ Residential Real Estate team as a solicitor in 2023, having completed my training contract at a West End law firm.  My core practice focuses on Residential Property Purchases and Sales predominantly in the prime central London market.

I joined the team with a wealth of experience in all things property-related including purchases and sales of high value, new build and commercial properties.  Acting on behalf of high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals, overseas, retail and corporate clients, I have built a reputation for being easily approachable and providing an elevated service to his clients.  My approach is focused on ensuring clear, concise and accurate legal advice.

I started my career as a paralegal and have worked for some of the most recognisable West End law firms, while also completing my LPC and Master’s degree part-time prior to completing my training.

Outside work, I am a keen boxing and mixed-martial arts enthusiast, having boxed semi-professionally in my teenage years.  I still enjoy training and try to go for a session at least once a week – though as a new father I admit my training has been lacking as of late!

Experience highlights 

  • Acting on several prime London property purchases and sales, including £12m purchase at the Chelsea Barracks, £2.5m purchase in Kensington and £2m sale at Battersea Power Station
  • Acting on behalf of ultra-high net worth clients offloading their UK property portfolio including sales in Kensington, Chelsea, Richmond and Surrey
  • Dealing with a number of ancillary issues related to prime London properties i.e. absent planning permissions, lack of insurance, service charge inconsistencies etc