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Rekha Toor

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.

Zahra Shah

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.

Aminul Islam

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.

Roberto Francis

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

Lisa Goder

Posted on: December 6th, 2024 by Natasha Cox

I am a Senior Associate in the Real Estate Finance Department at Lawrence Stephens.

I have a wealth of experience in both commercial property and real estate finance and have acted for landlords and tenants, investors, developers and lenders on a variety of property related transactions.

My understanding of the London property market and my commitment to delivering tailored solutions for my clients have earned me a strong reputation in the legal sector.

I am recognised for my experience with complex and time sensitive transactions and my clients appreciate my practical and commercial based approach and trust in my ability to get the transaction completed swiftly and efficiently.

Experience highlights

  • Acting for a borrower on a complex £7 million purchase of a commercial site with bridging finance.
  • Acting for a borrower on the re-finance of a large portfolio of residential and mixed use properties with a value of £5 million.
  • Acting for a borrower in connection with the purchase of a residential development site for £3 million with development finance
  • Acting for a borrower in connection with the purchase of a residential development site with finance and the subsequent sale of each unit

Angela McCarthy

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

I am a Senior Associate in the Commercial Real Estate Department, having joined Lawrence Stephens in 2021.  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. 

Krysha Hunt

Posted on: August 14th, 2024 by Hugh Dineen-Lees

I am a Senior Associate in the Commercial Real Estate team, having joined the firm in 2024.

I have extensive experience working on behalf of both landlord and tenants, acquisitions and disposals and property management. I also have experience working with hospitality clients in relation to the acquisition or disposal of hotels, restaurants and pubs and work closely alongside other departments to provide a comprehensive service.

I enjoy building relationships with clients and getting to know their focus to ensure a collaborative and commercial approach to transactions.

Outside of work I enjoy anything fitness related and ran the Paris half marathon in March 2024. I also enjoy travelling and have been fortunate to experience living in Singapore and Dubai.

Experience highlights:

  • Acting on behalf of a technology tenant to agree a lease of at a high-profile Central London building with a rent exceeding £1.5m per annum.
  • Acting on behalf of a hospitality client to acquire and subsequently refinance target properties across the UK for an initial portfolio value of circa £15m.
  • Acting for a landlord in respect of a lease of a serviced office block to an internet giant.

Henry Duncan

Posted on: July 1st, 2024 by Hugh Dineen-Lees

Prior to joining Lawrence Stephens I developed finance experience and commercial acumen across a variety of deals in the West-End and Top 200 Law Firms and spent time in house at a property development group. I bring a pragmatic and versatile approach to clients and take a long-term view of relationships.

I have a strong technical focus and have regularly acted for both upcoming and established lenders on product launches, standard template documentation and ‘special situations’. I am experienced in a range of transactions with particular familiarity with loan-on-loan arrangements, peer-to-peer structures, syndicated loans and mezzanine financing. I am happy to deal with non-standard situations where robust advice and urgent action is required to reach the best result.

The real-estate transactions I have worked on include lending to major hotel groups, ‘ground up’ and airspace development, purpose built student accommodation, service stations and care homes. Broader clients include IVF clinics, independent car manufacturers, music studios and car wholesale groups.

I value a commercial and outcome focused attitude to transactions, taking into account the broader needs of parties and adopting a collaborative approach where possible. My experience in house assists in understanding and anticipating what my clients need and ensuring that advice is clear, timely and jargon-free.

Outside of work I enjoy golf, live music, history and good food.

Experience highlights

  • Acting for a major alternative lender on a £65m refinance of student accommodation.
  • Acting for a challenger bank on a £15m loan-on-loan arrangement for a hotel development.
  • Advising an established bank on their participation in a £700m master platform agreement for care home funding and loan purchase arrangements.
  • Acting for a borrower on a £50m revolving credit facility with a high-street bank.
  • Advising a corporate lender on a £30m secured loan facility to a distressed borrower.
  • Reviewing and revising standard lending documentation for a national buy-to-let lender prior to syndication.
  • Acting for a specialist lender in relation to a £1.9m mezzanine loan across a four block development site with two senior lenders with a transactional timeframe of one week from instruction to completion.
  • Negotiating an intercreditor agreement between an alternative lender and the Greater London Authority.
  • Advising on the launch of a new development finance lender, advising on regulatory requirements, operations, funding structure, drafting standard transactional documents and acting on subsequent senior and mezzanine transactions.

Emma Cocker

Posted on: May 3rd, 2024 by Natasha Cox

I joined the Employment team at Lawrence Stephens in March 2024, having practised exclusively at specialist employment firms following completion of my legal training at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP.

I act for businesses and individuals across the whole spectrum of employment law and a variety of industries from owner-managed businesses to large corporations. I have many clients from regulated sectors, primarily within financial services, but I also act for businesses regulated by the Gambling Commission, the Charity Commission, the Football Association and the English Football League.

While I advise on both contentious and non-contentious matters, my day-to-day work focuses on contentious issues. I regularly bring and defend claims arising from the Equality Act 2010 and I also advise clients on how best to balance conflicting or competing priorities under discrimination legislation.

I have extensive experience of dealing with contentious terminations and claims relating to breach of contract, wrongful dismissal and unfair dismissal. I also act in High Court claims relating to breaches of confidentiality obligations and post-termination restrictions arising from employment contracts, share purchase agreements and shareholders’ agreements. This sometimes follows the work I do with my Corporate and Commercial colleagues, advising on employment issues arising from corporate transactions.

Clients recommend me because I am a ‘safe pair of hands’, delivering timely and practical advice which also considers any regulatory obligations to which they are subject. Ultimately, my clients’ commercial objectives are always at the forefront of what I do. With my expertise in employment law complemented by a background in corporate law and prior experience in banking, I provide valuable insights and support to help my clients secure the best possible results.

Outside of work I am a member of the Campaign For Real Ale and love nothing more than attending a good beer festival!

Experience highlights

  • Securing settlement and payment of full costs on behalf on a private equity client in relation to breaches of service and share purchase agreements by the former founders of the purchased business.
  • Securing the withdrawal of unmeritorious claims made against an employer in relation to alleged pregnancy and maternity discrimination following the employee’s dismissal for poor performance.
  • Representing a non-party client in relation in their successful opposition of an application for anonymity orders.
  • Securing a significant settlement for a financial services employee in relation to complex claims of disability discrimination, including a continuous course of conduct occurring over several years.
  • Advising a financial services employer in relation to the dismissal of their CEO, oversight of a subsequent independent investigation and advising on associated regulatory and litigious matters.
  • Advising an overseas employer in relation to parallel grievance and disciplinary investigations relating to claims of sexual harassment and sex discrimination.

Harshita Samani

Posted on: January 15th, 2024 by Yvonne Uzoka

I am a dual-qualified solicitor with extensive experience in advising a broad range of clients, including entrepreneurs, management teams, SMEs, and mid to large private and public companies, on a wide range of corporate transactions. With a strong cross-border practice spanning the UK and India, I provide strategic, commercially focused legal advice tailored to each client’s unique goals.

I lead on all aspects of the transaction lifecycle, from due diligence and disclosure to negotiating share or asset purchase agreements all the way through to completion. My expertise includes asset and share sales and purchases, corporate reorganisations, and strategic investments across a wide range of sectors such as real estate, insurance, IT, retail, hospitality, transport, media and technology, healthcare, cryptocurrency, and aviation.

In addition to transactional work, I advise on a variety of commercial agreements, including:

  • Loan and investment agreements
  • Shareholder and joint venture agreements
  • Introducer, distribution and reseller agreements
  • SaaS and other technology-related contracts
  • Terms and conditions, internal policies, and operational procedures

This expertise includes supporting clients in the recruitment, consultancy, medical cannabis, crypto, blockchain, IT, fintech, and education sectors. I also offer comprehensive guidance on GDPR compliance, data protection strategies, and cross-border data transfer agreements, helping clients navigate complex regulatory environments with confidence.

 Experience Highlights:

  • Advising on the strategic acquisition of an FCA-regulated business in the UK
  • Lead counsel on the £200m sale of a global IT company, coordinating with overseas counsel
  • Advised on the £30m sale of a UK-based freight forwarding company
  • Managed a corporate reorganisation followed by a £20m sale of a global transport and logistics group
  • Advised a special purpose vehicle on the corporate aspects of a residential complex sale in London’s Zone 1
  • Advised a leading Paris-headquartered security and fire safety company on multiple acquisitions in the UK and Ireland
  • Advised a private equity fund on investment agreements in decarbonisation, sustainable energy, and social impact ventures

Angélique Richardson

Posted on: December 4th, 2023 by Yvonne Uzoka

I am a Senior Associate in the Sports & Entertainment team at Lawrence Stephens.

As a former elite athlete competing in synchronised swimming and fin-swimming, I am able to bring a unique perspective to my practice and my athlete clients. I represent a number of professional athletes on a wide range of matters including high-profile boxing promotional agreements, anti-doping disputes, and multimillion-pound arbitrations. For both athletes and talent in the entertainment and media space, I provide commercial and holistic advice in relation to reputation management, strategy and career development.

As one of the UK’s leading sports lawyers, I am now a trusted advisor to a number of notable sports and entertainment clients. I have also been appointed to the Sport Resolutions Pro Bono service. A legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the service provides pro bono legal advice and assistance to athletes and individuals of limited financial means.

Joanne Leach

Posted on: November 27th, 2023 by Yvonne Uzoka

As a Senior Associate in the Employment team at Lawrence Stephens, I advise businesses and individuals across a wide range of sectors — including financial services, manufacturing, technology, recruitment, education, retail, hospitality and charities —on all aspects of employment law. My practice spans the full employment lifecycle, from drafting contracts and policies to resolving complex disputes and negotiating high-value exits.

I bring a strategic and empathetic approach to every matter, combining legal precision with commercial pragmatism. Clients value my ability to anticipate risk, navigate sensitive issues, and deliver practical, sector-specific solutions.

I have particular expertise in:

  • Workplace conflict including discrimination, harassment and whistleblowing;
  • Employment tribunal litigation and dispute resolution;
  • Executive terminations and settlement negotiations; and
  • TUPE and the employment aspects of corporate transactions.

I also provide training to business leaders on employment law compliance and I regularly comment on legal developments, including the evolving legal landscape as the Employment Rights Act comes into view.

Before joining Lawrence Stephens in 2023, I trained and qualified at a mid-size City firm and practised at a specialist employment law firm. I also ran a successful tuition business for 14 years, which gives me deep insight into the priorities of owner-managed businesses.

I am also a proud mother of three marvellous children and a mental health first aider. Outside of work, I enjoy dancing, travel and discovering new theatre productions. My superpower? Picking the perfect book for any reader—adult or child!

Experience highlights 

  • Advising on the strategy and legal issues associated with the move of senior executives to a competitor in the financial services sector.
  • Negotiating a complex and high-value exit package for the outgoing CEO of a global professional services and technology firm, settling potential unfair dismissal, whistleblowing and breach of contract claims.
  • Securing the strike out and withdrawal of unmeritorious claims against a recruitment company client at the preliminary stage of legal proceedings.
  • Successfully representing a hospitality chain in a series of coordinated service provision race discrimination claims brought by a group of customers.