David Dieleman

Posted on: June 2nd, 2026 by Ella Darnell

Originally from Canada, I am a Paralegal in the Real Estate Finance team. Prior to joining Lawrence Stephens I studied law at the University of Westminster, where I frequently volunteered in the pro bono clinic assisting in immigration and housing matters. 

Previously, I gained experience in hospitality, focusing on VIP client retention and bookings optimisation.

Outside of work I enjoy antique hunting, cooking, and historical sites.

Sally McCarthy

Posted on: May 5th, 2026 by Ella Darnell

I joined Lawrence Stephens in April 2026 as a Paralegal in the Banking Team.  Joining Lawrence Stephens marked a career change for me as I had previously worked in the Education Sector for over twenty years.  I was a Primary School Teacher, a Special Educational Needs Coordinator, a member of the Senior Leadership Team and a Senior Mental Health Lead. 

Outside of work, I enjoy going to concerts regularly. I also play badminton and tennis and love an annual visit to Wimbledon, if I’m lucky enough to get tickets!

Joudy Kurti

Posted on: April 28th, 2026 by Ella Darnell

I am a Paralegal in the Real Estate Disputes and Secured Recoveries team.  I work on a range of contentious property matters, particularly including possession claims, and support cases through all stages of the litigation process.

Having joined the firm in March 2026, I bring experience in acting for bridging and alternative lenders, alongside completing the Legal Practice Course with Distinction at the University of Law.  

Away from work, I enjoy playing table tennis and travelling.

Jura Peddle

Posted on: April 14th, 2026 by Ella Darnell

I joined Lawrence Stephens in March 2026 as a Paralegal within the Real Estate Finance team.

After studying law at City, University of London, I worked as a paralegal in private practice and in the charitable sector. Before changing careers to law, I obtained a Bachelor of Science from Dalhousie University, specialising in microbiology, immunology, and neuroscience.

Outside of work, I enjoy boxing, cooking, and weather and waves permitting, surfing.

Ebony Guitton

Posted on: February 16th, 2026 by Ella Darnell

Originally from North Wales, I moved to London in February 2026 to join Lawrence Stephens as a paralegal in the Private Wealth and Succession Planning department.

I graduated with a 2:1 from the University of Liverpool after completing my LLB Law degree. I then went on to study the LPC LLM with the University of Law where I achieved a commendation.

I took six months out last year to travel around Australia and South East Asia which I really enjoyed and found that it helped me to develop many skills.

Outside of work, I enjoy reading, going to the theatre and spending quality time with my friends and family.

Shahaab Kharal

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

Alif Kazi

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.

Emma Benson

Posted on: October 6th, 2025 by Ella Darnell

I joined Lawrence Stephens in October 2025, currently in the Corporate Commercial team, following work experience the year prior.

I graduated from the University of Birmingham with a BA (Hons) in Liberal Arts and Sciences (Law), as well as completing a year abroad at the University of Waterloo (Canada) – specialising in Canadian Law and Spanish. I have recently completed the PgDL from the University of Law.

Outside of work, I enjoy keeping fit through the gym and padel tennis; I also thoroughly enjoy baking.

Jack Francklin

Posted on: June 20th, 2025 by Natasha Cox

I am a paralegal in the Employment team. Previously, I worked in the commercial Dispute Resolution team. 

Prior to joining the firm in June 2025, I worked as a journalist and in the media before completing the MA Law (SQE1) course at the University of Law.

During the course I worked at the Intervene Project, where I helped bring civil claims for clients, and shadowed a barrister and a judge in separate cases in the High Court.

Away from work, I enjoy playing football and speaking Spanish, having spent a year living in Argentina and Bolivia during my undergraduate degree.

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.

James Parker

Posted on: February 19th, 2025 by Hugh Dineen-Lees

I joined Lawrence Stephens in February 2025 as a paralegal in the Commercial Real Estate team, bringing over three years of experience from my time at Memery Crystal.

My expertise spans a wide range of commercial property matters, including landlord and tenant transactions, acquisitions and disposals, and financing. I also have experience handling residential real estate matters.

Outside of work I keep myself busy by studying for the PGDL, keeping fit, and socialising with friends.

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.