Posted on: June 22nd, 2026 by Alanah Lenten
I am a Senior Associate specialising in employment law, advising businesses, senior stakeholders and HR teams on the full spectrum of employment matters. My practice spans day-to-day HR advisory work, Employment Tribunal litigation, discrimination and whistleblowing claims, as well as restructurings, redundancies and senior executive exits. I also regularly support corporate transactions, providing employment law input on complex deals and organisational change.
I provide commercially focused and pragmatic advice, supporting clients to navigate legal, operational and reputational risk. Drawing on both in-house and private practice experience, I work closely with senior decision-makers on complex and business-critical people issues.
Alongside my advisory work, I deliver training and webinars on key employment law developments and regularly support clients on internal investigations.
Experience highlights
- Successfully represented a national organisation in an 8-day Employment Tribunal hearing, securing the dismissal of claims for sex discrimination, race discrimination and unfair dismissal.
- Advised on and secured a significant exit package for a senior executive following unfounded allegations, including managing the grievance process and without prejudice negotiations.
- Advised a technology sector client on organisational change, including restructuring its senior management team and overseeing the relocation of employees overseas.
- Advised on the employment aspects of a cross-border corporate transaction involving the acquisition of a UK business by a US-based client, including all pre- and post-completion matters.
Posted on: May 13th, 2026 by Ella Darnell
I am a senior banking and finance lawyer with over 10 years’ experience advising on cross-border debt finance transactions, with a particular focus on LMA-based documentation.
I joined Lawrence Stephens in May 2026. Previously, I had been a Senior Associate in the Banking team at TLT LLP since 2021, and I played a key role in developing the firm’s India Group and broader international banking practice.
I have extensive experience acting for lenders on cross-border secured financings, typically in the range of £20 million to £150 million.
I am known for my client-focused approach, working closely with clients to understand their commercial priorities and delivering pragmatic solutions within demanding timelines.
Prior to relocating to the UK, I practised in India between 2015 and 2021 with ICICI Bank Limited and IndusLaw, gaining valuable in-house and private practice experience.
Experience highlights
- Advised the UK subsidiary of a leading international bank on its syndicated term and revolving credit facilities of US$150m to a large multinational corporate headquartered in India
- Advised the UK subsidiary of a leading Indian bank in its term loan of US$100m to India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (Government of India owned company)
- Advised ICICI Bank UK Plc in relation to its £60m term loan to Kenmin (HP) Ltd for financing a prime apartment complex in Kensington, London
- Advised ICICI Bank UK Plc in relation to its £22m refinancing of the St. James Court Hotel, London including a new term loan and working capital facility
- Advised a UK Bank in relation to an acquisition financing transaction of £45m to a UK borrower towards part-financing of its acquisition of shares in two hotels owning SPVs
Posted on: February 23rd, 2026 by Ella Darnell
I joined Lawrence Stephens in 2026 as a Senior Associate, and am a corporate M&A solicitor with significant experience advising on private mergers and acquisitions, as well as venture capital and private equity transactions.
Alongside transactional work, I provide advice on a broad range of corporate matters, including shareholders agreements, share option schemes, joint ventures, growth share arrangements, and commercial agreements.
Dual-qualified in the UK and Italy, I have regularly assisted clients on cross-border transactions, with particular expertise in investments between the UK and Italy but also other foreign jurisdictions.
Over the years, I have helped clients across a diverse range of sectors, including food & beverage, fashion, entertainment, manufacturing, financial advisory, and technology.
In my spare time, I enjoy travelling, cooking and playing tennis.
Experience Highlights
- Advising a hotels and restaurants supplier in the purchase of the entire capital of a competing business
- Acting for the seller of a financial advisory business in the sale of the entire capital of the trading company and several financial advisory businesses, which were purchased by a UK financial advisory group
- Advising the seller on the sale of business and assets, which included four leisure centres based in different locations in the UK, to a listed company
- Acting for the sellers of a travel agency in the sale of the entire capital of the company to a private equity-backed buyer
- Advising an Italian listed company in the purchase of a majority stake in a UK tech company with subsidiaries in UAE and Pakistan
Posted on: November 13th, 2025 by Ella Darnell
I joined the Residential Real Estate Team at Lawrence Stephens as a Senior Associate in 2025.
I have worked in residential conveyancing for over eight years and have built a strong background in all areas. My experience includes handling leasehold and freehold transactions, new build properties, remortgages, transfers of equity, and voluntary lease extensions. Over the years, I have acted for a wide range of clients — from first-time buyers taking their first step onto the property ladder to high net worth individuals.
My priority is to provide every client with a high level of service and clear, personalised advice. I take pride in being proactive, approachable, and ensuring that every transaction runs as smoothly as possible.
Outside of work, I enjoy baking, travelling, and spending quality time with my family and friends.
Experience highlights:
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: September 9th, 2025 by Natasha Cox
I joined Lawrence Stephens as a Senior Associate in September 2025. I am a highly experienced solicitor specialising in wills, trusts and probate disputes. I am a full member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS) and ConTra – The Contentious Trust Association.
I have extensive experience in this complex area of law and can advise on all aspects of wills, trusts and probate disputes, including:
- Claims pursuant to the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants Act) 1975
- Removal and replacement of executors
- Challenging or defending the validity of a will
- Estate administration disputes
- Claims involving proprietary estoppel and constructive trusts
I regularly advise on high value and complex disputes including those with cross-border or an overseas element.
Whilst it may not always possible to avoid court proceedings, I am always keen to try and resolve matters by way of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
Outside of work, you will usually find me running around with my twins in a theme park. I also enjoy travelling, baking, true crime podcasts and binge watching a good series.
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: February 17th, 2025 by Natasha Cox
I am a Senior Associate in the Commercial Real Estate team, having joined Lawrence Stephens from Memery Crystal in February 2025.
I act for a range of clients including developers, property companies, corporate occupiers and individuals.
I have worked on a variety of commercial real estate transactions including landlord and tenant matters (acting for both landlords and tenants), acquisitions and disposals, development projects and corporate real estate.
My experience includes acting for landlords and tenants on lease negotiations, acting on acquisitions and lettings of petrol filling stations for a roadside retail operator and acting on lettings of retail and office sites for a listed house builder.
Experience
- Acting for a listed house builder in negotiating agreements for lease, leases, rent deposit deeds and licences for alterations for various commercial units on its mixed-use development sites.
- Acting for a listed house builder on the investment sale of commercial units at its mixed-use development site for £1.1million.
- Acting for a roadside retail operator on the acquisition of freehold and leasehold properties for circa £19.5million.
- Acting for a roadside retail operator with an intra-group company transfer of freehold and leasehold properties to three group companies for circa £32.6million.
- Acting for a construction contractor specialising in cladding refurbishment in negotiating licenses to occupy in relation to office facilities and storage compounds for its cladding remediation work.
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.
Posted on: January 31st, 2025 by Natasha Cox
I am a Senior Associate within the Dispute Resolution department. I specialise in insolvency, commercial litigation, director and shareholder disputes, debt claims and fraud.
I have a strong track record of achieving favourable outcomes for my clients in a cost-effective manner, with many clients either returning or their professional advisers (whom I work alongside) recommending me to their clients.
Clients want to understand where they stand early on including the risks, rewards and costs; I tailor a strategy to achieve their desired outcome whilst also advising on commercial considerations they may have overlooked.
Prior to joining Lawrence Stephens I worked at a City boutique where I was involved in numerous matters which created case authority, and in HMRC’s Strategic Litigation department where I was involved in the £1bn Ingenious litigation.
I am a member of R3, the trade association for UK insolvency and restructuring professionals.
Outside of the office I enjoy spending my time with my growing family, watching Arsenal, going to the gym and trying new restaurants.
Experience highlights
- Obtaining an order to annul a client’s bankruptcy and prevent the sale of his £5.5million home.
- Successfully rescinding a winding-up order made against a company, preventing the realisation of its assets and the appointment of a receiver by a lender.
- Defending different categories of directors (de jure and de facto) against a liquidator’s claim for breach of duties, misfeasance, and dishonest assistance which created case law and was set for a cross-appeal before reaching a favourable settlement.
- Pursuing bankruptcy against a solicitor under the Insolvent Partnerships Order 1994 and making a full recovery of £150,000 plus legal costs.
- Ensuring that the construction of a significant development in Europe was not interrupted following a dispute over the validity of a payment on demand clause in a funding loan agreement (worth over £100million).
- Obtaining a freezing order on behalf of liquidators against various entities in a £14million art fraud.
- Preventing an UHNW client’s rare car collection worth over £20million being sold at auction by receivers following a default on a loan repayment.
- Concluding the Insolvency Service’s investigations into a director’s alleged misconduct without any disqualification period being sought.
- Obtaining a money judgment on behalf of a law firm and successfully defending a counterclaim for professional negligence following a five-day trial.
- Acting for a defendant and obtaining a security for costs order against the claimant, striking out their claim, obtaining charging orders over the claimant’s properties, and applying for the claimant’s property be sold at auction so that the proceeds could be paid to the defendant.
Publications
Posted on: December 6th, 2024 by Natasha Cox
I am a Senior Associate in the Real Estate Disputes Department having joined Lawrence Stephens in December 2024.
I join the firm with extensive experience acting for bridging and alternative lenders with a primary focus on secured and unsecured recoveries, which includes but is not limited to possession claims, receivership, insolvency and professional negligence.
I like to take a down to earth approach and develop strong relationships with clients, thereby ensuring that their needs and expectations are at the forefront of my mind when progressing any given matter.
Outside of work, I am a fitness enthusiast and enjoy going to the gym and running. Over recent years I have taken part in a number of runs. When I am not training I love all things food related and like eating out with friends and family.
Experience highlights
- Successfully obtaining a vesting order in favour of a lender
- Acting for a lender in the settlement of a professional negligence claim prior to the issue of proceedings
Posted on: October 8th, 2024 by Hugh Dineen-Lees
I have extensive experience in a range of property transactions, and a particular interest in investment property, commercial landlord and tenant matters and corporate support work (particularly in connection with the purchase and sale of commercial entities).
I have acted for well-known retailers and restaurants in the acquisition of new premises and the negotiation of lease renewals, deeds of variation, assignments, licences and wayleave agreements. I also act for landlords in connection with portfolio management and the preparation and negotiation of sub-leases.
The best part of my role is building strong, supportive and lasting relationships with clients. I enjoy getting to know clients and their business strategies and my advice is always straightforward, commercial and tailored to the person or entity seeking it.
In my spare time, I can regularly be found at one the many gig and concert venues in London, as live music is my absolute kryptonite. I’m also a regular on the netball court and love a good runaround with my wonderful teammates.
