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Rachel Coulthard

Posted on: February 10th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I am experienced in acting on a full range of real estate finance transactions.  I also have a wealth of experience in managing high-value refinances of property and property portfolios.

My clients include a broad range of borrowers and lenders – from individuals to high-street banks and bespoke private funding platforms – all of whom trust me for my ability to work efficiently within tight timescales and to drive deals over the line at pace.

Always relishing a challenge, I like to get to grips with the details of each matter and the needs of each party to ensure a successful outcome is achieved for everyone involved.

I am proud to be the firm’s lead on our Women in Real Estate Finance (WREF) initiative, which seeks to bring together bright female leaders in real estate finance, celebrate their successes and provide them with the tools needed to flourish in the industry.

Outside of work, I spend my time looking after my twin girls, and also enjoy boxing and lifting weights.

Experience highlights 

  • Acting on a term loan within bridging deadlines to secure a £13million lend over two multi-let sites
  • Acting for a bank on an £11million term loan on a mixed-use scheme in central London
  • Acting for a private lender on a £4.8million finance of a let property on Harley Street which went from instruction to completion in five days
  • Acting for the borrower on the development finance and sale of part of a residential development in Central London which included a CBILS loan, a second lender and management company set-up
  • Acting for a lender on the contemporaneous financing of two complex commercial sites in Manchester involving sub-underleases and a claim for adverse possession
  • Acting for the landlord on the grant of a high value lease of a bowling alley complex

Steven Roskin

Posted on: February 10th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens’ Real Estate department as a Director in 2022.  

I built my experience over the last decade working on a diverse range of property transactions and pride myself on my calm and progressive approach.

I work with a large network of property professionals in acquisitions and sales for clients from all over the world.  My core practice focuses on prime Central London transactions working with first-time buyers, experienced developers and high-net-worth-individuals.  I have experience in all types of residential conveyancing, including new build purchasers and refinancing as well as commercial transactions.

I provide clear, timely and measured advice to clients to make transactions as smooth and stress-free as possible.  I bring a personal approach, so that clients and contacts get to know me well and feel I am always available.

Experience highlights 

  • Acting on a £15m flat purchase at Chelsea Barracks
  • Handling a large property portfolio transfer and refinance for an overseas company client with complex lease assignment requirements
  • Purchase of a mixed residential and agricultural country estate involve registered and unregistered land and the subsequent sale of the property 18 months later
  • Purchase of multiple flats in a new development for a client with unique funding requirements

Tom Pemberton

Posted on: February 10th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I advise on all stages of procurement and the execution of a wide variety of building, engineering and infrastructure projects in the UK and abroad, including projects of national importance.

I offer expertise in drafting and negotiating development agreements, construction contracts, professional appointments and related agreements, building on my experience over many years of advising on high profile construction and infrastructure projects and my knowledge of the domestic and international real estate and infrastructure sectors.

My clients are building owners, developers, funders, contractors and consultants.  I recognise the importance of providing “value added” services at no charge, including regular meetings to obtain feedback on work carried out and to provide updates on legal developments.

I have a longstanding relationship with the Civil Engineering Contractors Association, the representative body for companies who work day-to-day to deliver, upgrade and maintain the country’s infrastructure.  I drafted the CECA Generic Form of Sub-Contract which was published in September 2020 for use in conjunction with a wide range of standard form and bespoke main contracts.  I sit on the CIC Liability Panel, which considers legal issues of interest to construction professionals and others in the industry.

I am also a well-known speaker on a wide range of topics, including construction contract forms, alliancing/collaborative contracting, case-law on issues such as contractors’ and consultants’ design liability, the Construction Act (as amended in 2011), and other topics of interest to the construction and engineering industry.  I regularly contribute articles on construction law issues to specialist journals.

I am married with two children and live in Surrey.  I am a long suffering supporter of Charlton Athletic and enjoy cycling, running and playing racquet sports.

Experience highlights 

  • Advising in the drafting and negotiating of a number of contracts for key works packages in the construction of Hinkley Point C nuclear power station, including the groundworks package and the supply and the installation of an electrical supply back up system; the criticality of these contracts required an in depth analysis of the key risks and the most appropriate ways to manage and mitigate them
  • Advising on procurement methodology and preparing and negotiating the contracts for the design and construction of various housing, office and commercial projects in the UK, including new builds, refurbishments and fit outs.  An important element of this work is ensuring the appropriate allocation of risks such as those arising from the global constraints on the supply of labour and materials following Brexit and the pandemic
  • Drafting and negotiating the contracts relating to a number of construction and engineering projects internationally, including in the USA and the Middle East; liaising with local lawyers as necessary to ensure compliance with local law
  • Acting for a number of banks in the financing of various developments.  Among others, this has involved advising on the development security aspects of an additional financing package in relation to a large housing development where the project costs exceeded the budget, in order to ensure the successful completion of the project and repayment of the loan
  • Providing project advisory services including the management of claims and strategies to settle disputes or where this has not been possible arranging for the issue and conduct of dispute proceedings

Anna Christou

Posted on: February 10th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I am a Director in the Real Estate Finance Department having joined Lawrence Stephens in 2011. 

I have a wealth of experience acting for leading UK buy-to-let lenders, bridging lenders, challenger banks and building societies, dealing with both regulated and unregulated loans on commercial and residential property portfolios.

I am by nature a people person. I build strong relationships with my clients by investing time in getting to know them and their business needs, thereby ensuring that my advice is always commercial, practical, and forward-thinking.

I work closely with brokers and other professionals on every deal as I believe that collaboration and clear communication are the key to efficiency, consistency and maintaining an excellent reputation in the long term.

Whilst I enjoy the thrill of completing complex deals to tight timescales, I am also invested in supporting my clients on a broader level be it through improving legal understanding with regular seminars or being agile in my approach and style to support rapid growth.

Outside of work, I am kept busy by my three amazing daughters and their social calendars. I love cooking, baking and fitness.

Experience highlights 

  • Acting for a buy-to-let lender on a £7m loan secured over 10 new build flats.
  • Being a key member of the team that assisted a banking client grow a loan book from £60m to £2.5bn in a little under three years. 
  • Acting for borrower on an £8.5m refinancing of a site in central London in a matter of days.
  • Acting for borrower on an £18m refinancing of a portfolio of 120 residential properties

Ausra Triantafyllidou

Posted on: February 10th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I act for lenders and investors on all facets of real estate financing across residential and commercial sectors.

My primary focus is on secured lending transactions including investment and development finance matters.  I have considerable experience acting for a number of well known and smaller bridging lenders – working under pressure and to strict deadlines has become second nature.

I advise clients on landlord and tenant matters that include a wide range of transactions.  The versatility of my expertise allows me to provide service that is tailored to my clients’ needs including acquisitions, disposals, lettings, transfers of portfolios to corporate structures and finance transactions.  I therefore act for a number of long-standing investors with large commercial, residential and mixed use portfolios.

With experience in a wide range of sectors, I adopt a proactive and commercial approach to all transactions.

Lawrence Kelly

Posted on: February 10th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I qualified in 1990 and, after partnership in a major West End firm of solicitors, formed Lawrence Stephens with Steven Bernstein and Stephen Messias in 1997.

I am a Solicitor Advocate and am qualified to appear in all UK courts. I have a wide range of expertise in commercial litigation and dispute resolution, acting for a diverse range of clients including high profile entrepreneurs, international clients in the fields of sport and entertainment and their agents, company directors, shareholders and corporate entities of all sizes.

I am recommended in the 2024 edition of the Spear’s 500 guide in their corporate, litigation and dispute resolution section.

Examples of my areas of practice include:

  • Breach of contract claims
  • Professional negligence
  • Individual and corporate insolvency (including IVA, CVA and business restructuring)
  • Breach of directors’ duties
  • Shareholder disputes
  • Partnership disputes
  • Civil fraud and asset tracing/recovery (including crypto assets)
  • Intellectual property (including copyright, trademarks and passing off)
  • Regulatory and compliance (including Financial Conduct Authority/PIA)
  • Spread betting/CFDs and other gambling disputes
  • Sports tribunal matters (including Rule K arbitrations representing players and Registered Intermediaries)
  • Contentious probate
  • HMRC enquiries
  • Criminal investigations, including fraud and private prosecutions

I have acted as an accredited supervisor within the Legal Services Commission Specialist Fraud Panel and am a former member of the VHCC Appeals Panel.

I have two children and live in London and Kent.  My non-legal interests include skiing, hiking, sailing, cookery and art. 

Gregory Palos

Posted on: February 10th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I am a Director and Head of the Lawrence Stephens’ multi-disciplinary Financial Institutions sector group. I am a leading adviser to banks and other financial institutions on the provision of relevant legal services and have over 30 years’ experience advising them in both the regulated and non-regulated sectors.

I have over 30 years’ experience working for clients within the UK and internationally in the acquisition of property investments, development sites and owner occupier acquisitions and leases.

The Lawrence Stephens Financial Institutions teams represents banks and other financial institutions in the regulated and non-regulated sectors.  We have extensive experience in real estate, secured lending, bridging and property finance acting for a wide range of companies, developers and investors.  

Highlights to date include acting on behalf of a bank in respect of a £30m facility to a renowned hospital charity, a £28m facility secured against 115 properties and acting for a borrower in respect of £30m senior debt facility.

Prior to joining Lawrence Stephens, I ran my own practice in the West End of London, which eventually merged with Lawrence Stephens in 2004.  I am married with three children, five grandchildren and live in North London.  My interests include cooking, fine wines, eating out with friends, country sports, golf and supporting Arsenal.

Experience highlights

  • Acting on behalf of a financial institution in respect of a facility of £20m to a national charity acquiring a mixed use property in West London for £40m
  • Advising a property developer in connection with the acquisition of a mixed-use block for £9.5m, assisting with the application for permitted development to convert five floors of offices into 35 apartments and the application for planning permission for the construction of five duplex apartments on the top floor of the building, the extension of the retail element and the construction of 12 mews houses at the rear of the building
  • Acting on behalf of a bank in respect of a £30m facility to a renowned hospital charity
  • Acting in the administration of a national fashion retailer with an estate of 250 retail units, disposing of 125 commercial units and assisting the administrator in the disposal/management of the remaining units
  • Acting in the acquisition and financing of the roof and airspace above a block of flats, the construction of eight apartments and their off-plan sale (with a GDV of £4.5m)

Bradley Lee

Posted on: February 10th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

Having qualified in 1998, I advise corporate entities and private individuals on all areas of corporate and commercial law.

With a particular focus on owner-managed businesses, SMEs, private equity and start-ups, I act on disposals, acquisitions, joint ventures and investments across a broad range of sectors including, property, media, digital marketing, financial services, construction, beauty and cosmetics, restaurants and leisure.

I also have significant experience in drafting and negotiating a variety of commercial contracts such as shareholders’ agreements, articles of association, debentures, legal mortgages, charges over shares and agreements relating to consultancy, partnerships, share options, distribution and supply, franchises, equipment hire, licensing and loans.

In addition, I have a particular specialisation in advising on the corporate aspects of underlying property-related matters, having acted for numerous clients in this area.

I’m an avid football fan (player, spectator and FA-qualified referee) and follower of many other sports.  I’m also a cinema-goer, pub quiz enthusiast and love to travel to far-flung places.

Experience highlights 

  • Advising a serial entrepreneur in relation to various investments including technology start-up companies and property joint ventures
  • Acting for property developers in relation to various joint ventures concerned with the development of a mix of commercial and residential units within Greater London
  • Acting for buyers and sellers in respect of numerous  ‘corporate wrapper’ companies (both in the UK and offshore) where the respective company’s sole asset is property, including the sale of one such company whose sole asset was an apartment in the prestigious One Hyde Park development
  • Acting for the buyer of a series of nursing care homes in North London
  • Acting for the sellers of an owner-managed digital marketing company to a PLC

James Lyons

Posted on: February 7th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

With nearly 25 years’ experience advising on corporate transactions, I pride myself on providing the same personable and conscientious level of service to a range of clients including entrepreneurs, management teams, SMEs, private equity funds and larger private and public companies.

My expertise also extends to managing corporate elements of real estate transactions and advising not-for-profit bodies on constitutional matters. My clients operate in sectors including media, technology, manufacturing, healthcare and catering.

I advise on mergers and acquisitions, equity fundraisings, shareholders agreements and joint ventures, corporate re-organisations, director duties, corporate governance and all matters of company law.

My clients appreciate my personable nature, careful attention to detail, patience, responsiveness and commercial pragmatism. I have been ranked as a Recognised Practitioner for Corporate M&A Mid-Market (London) in Chambers and Partners.

It is important to me to develop strong relationships by combining good quality technical advice with clarity of explanation and (where possible) good humour to maintain perspective and make the process as smooth as possible for all involved.

Much of my spare time is spent acting as chauffeur to my three boys and attending to their sporting needs. When I’m not watching one son play football, managing another of my son’s football teams or walking the dog, I’ll go for a run to escape them all. I’m also a keen follower of my hometown football club Leeds United.

Experience highlights 

  • Advising on the sale of strategic land company Southern & Regional Developments Limited to Bellway PLC
  • Advising an individual business owner on the sale of his media production company OB Media Partners Limited to 42 Management & Production
  • Advising a global listed company services provider on M&A transactions including their acquisitions of catering businesses and the sale of their UK horticultural services division
  • Advising a registered care provider on its corporate acquisitions of care home providers owning and operating care homes in the Southeast
  • Advising the management team of marketing services company MM-Eye Limited on their management buy-out of the business and, subsequently, on their sale of the company to an employee-ownership trust