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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.

Lucy-Jane Barnett

Posted on: June 25th, 2024 by Yvonne Uzoka

I joined the Lawrence Stephens’ Banking team in July 2024. Prior to this, I worked at a Magic Circle firm specialising in real estate finance.

I have a breadth of experience acting for large commercial banks, investment funds, property management companies and borrowers on multi-jurisdictional and UK-focused deals involving commercial real estate, including office space, BTR, hotels, retail, warehouse and logistics. I also have extensive experience working on international transactions, including various offshore jurisdictions and the many intricacies associated with these deals.

My primary focus is on secured lending transactions, including investment and development finance matters, from deal originations to refinancing and loan/property management assistance. 

Outside of the office, I love to travel, exploring different cultures and trying different cuisines, but when in London I enjoy spin classes and reading.

Annabel Andreou

Posted on: March 4th, 2024 by Maverick Freedlander

I joined Lawrence Stephens in March 2024, and am a Senior Associate in the Family team.

I qualified as a solicitor in August 2020 and have specialised exclusively in private family law. My practice includes advising and assisting individuals in connection with separation, divorce, parenting agreements, child arrangements, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements and domestic abuse injunctions.

I have successfully acted in Children Act 1989 cases where the child concerned has a disability, mental health challenge and/or learning difficulty. As a result, I have a good working knowledge of local paediatric services and the implementation of an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Such experience also enables me to advise divorcing clients who have children with additional needs on suitable and fair outcomes in respect of matrimonial finances and property.

In divorce cases, I have represented individuals who have a ‘uniform’ pension (NHS, Metropolitan Police, teachers, etc,) and regularly advise on issues which arise in respect of pensions upon divorce.

I have experience in cases where domestic abuse is a feature and the injunctions which can be applied for if an individual requires protection. I have also successfully acted for respondents to injunction applications.

My practice includes advice and representation for unmarried couples and parents on the breakdown of a relationship and in relation to property claims under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996.

I am committed to resolving disputes in a constructive and amicable way but will assist clients with a court application when a firmer approach is essential. My approach is give to clients clear and coherent advice from the start and manage their expectations throughout. I am committed to assisting clients in an ethical, compassionate, timely and cost efficient manner.

Outside of work I am keen runner and swimmer. I love spending time with my friends and family. I enjoy trying new foods and places to eat, as well as travelling.

Experience highlights 

  • Successfully acting for a mother in an internal relocation case where both children had complex medical needs
  • Successfully acting for a father in his application for a specific issue order to determine the child’s school placement (child had an EHCP and additional needs)
  • Acting for a husband in a divorce who had a large Civil Service pension which exceeded the lifetime allowance
  • Successfully acting for a father (resident in New Zealand) in establishing contact with his daughter (resident in England)
  • Successfully acting for an individual in establishing a beneficial interest in a property
  • Advising a spouse in respect of matrimonial finances and child arrangements where the parties had agreed that one party and children would relocate to the United States of America
  • Defending a non-molestation order and occupation order application

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

Miran Sharif

Posted on: January 15th, 2024 by Yvonne Uzoka

I joined Lawrence Stephens as a Solicitor in 2024, bringing with me extensive experience in real estate finance. With a diverse background representing bridging lenders and borrowers ranging from first-time buyers to high net-worth individuals and property developers, I possess a deep understanding of the nuanced needs and challenges inherent in bridging, refurbishment and development loans.

I love a challenge and being able to find solutions to problems or simplifying a complex issue for a client to give them the understanding to be able to proceed with confidence as issues arise. I also adopt a pragmatic approach, working with all stakeholders involved to ensure a seamless and timely completion to the benefit of lender and borrower alike. Lender clients have also relied on me to assist them with creating and improving upon their loan documents leading to better protections for lenders and faster turnaround times leading to a more timely completion for the borrowers.

Outside of the office, I enjoy swimming, trying new foods and spending time with my family.

Experience highlights 

  • Completing a complex £2.4m bridging finance transaction involving five security properties including a dwelling house, residential flats, partially completed dwellings and a HMO which required extensive negotiations and overcoming a multitude of obstacles
  • Completing a finance transaction secured over a portfolio of 21 properties being acquired by the borrower

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.

Joe Furze

Posted on: August 3rd, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens’ Private Wealth department as a paralegal in August 2023.

I have been practicing as a Solicitor in England and Wales since 19 April 2024, having previously practiced as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand for five years.

I have experience with assisting high net worth clients with their succession planning and their internal restructurings, including advising clients in relation to trusts, wills and Powers of Attorney.

In my spare time, I enjoy keeping fit at the gym, playing video games and traveling.

Jake Cohen

Posted on: August 1st, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I am a Senior Associate and founding member of the Sports & Entertainment team at Lawrence Stephens. I act for clients on both contentious and non-contentious matters.

I act on high-profile matters within sport and my calm, direct and focused approach coupled with my strong commercial background and experience working with key stakeholders across the global sporting industry enables me to communicate and distill complex legal matters into practical advice in an engaging, accessible and actionable way.

I specialise in advising clients on commercial, image rights, employment, complex regulatory and cross-border matters in addition to acting for clients in disputes before The Football Association (FA), FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Given the international nature of my work, I frequently collaborate with colleagues from a variety of different countries, jurisdictions and backgrounds.

I am passionate about ensuring that costs are not a barrier to receiving top legal advice and access to justice and I regularly provide pro bono assistance to young athletes and entrepreneurs. Additionally, I have been a member of the American Bar Association’s Military Pro Bono Project since qualifying as a lawyer and have been appointed to the Sport Resolutions Pro Bono Service.

Experience highlights 

  • Representing clients in dozens of successful disputes before the FA (Rule K Arbitration and Contractual Disputes Tribunal), FIFA (Players’ Status Chamber and Dispute Resolution Chamber), the Court of Arbitration for Sport and other sporting and commercial arbitration bodies
  • Advising a client on a record-breaking commercial sponsorship deal within women’s football
  • Negotiating a precedent-setting employment contract on behalf of a men’s footballer client
  • Advising players and agents on a wide range of issues relating to domestic and international transfers
  • Advising players, families and football clubs on issues pertaining to international transfers of minor players
  • Supporting the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) in negotiations with The FA in relation to benefits for the England women’s national team
  • Supporting the PFA in negotiations with The FA in relation to the standard employment contract for women’s professional footballers
  • Representing a client on a successful discrimination, abuse and harassment claim opposite one of the largest football entities in the world
  • Advising a brand client on a multi-million pound sponsorship deal with a prominent Formula 1 team
  • Advising athletes on their image rights, commercial opportunities and sponsorships
  • Advising Premier League and Championship football clubs on commercial sponsorships
  • Advising boxers on their promotional agreements and management agreements
  • Advising multiple dual-national footballers and collaborated with national associations to facilitate the players’ decisions to make the ‘one-time switch’ to play for different national teams
  • Negotiating and drafting complex agreements involving parties in multiple jurisdictions and requiring expertise in both EPPP and NCAA regulatory compliance for clients with Major League Soccer clubs, Premier League and EFL clubs operating Category 1 and Category 2 academies and NCAA colleges and universities
  • Drafting services contracts on behalf of clients engaged with Premier League and EFL football clubs
  • Advising athlete clients on reputation management issues
  • Advising a UK client on establishing a US corporate headquarters
  • Leading the due diligence team of a prospective bidder of a top-level football club
  • Advising football clubs, agents and players on successfully securing Governing Body Endorsements from The FA

William Bowyer

Posted on: August 1st, 2023 by Natasha Cox

As one of the founding members of Lawrence Stephens’ Sports, Media and Entertainment team, I am an experienced solicitor specialising in a mixture of non-contentious and contentious matters in sport. I deliver commercial and pragmatic advice for my clients and pay significant attention to the wider sporting context in which my clients sit.

I represent elite footballers, talent management and commercial agencies, drivers, golfers, sports brands, tech brands and various other stakeholders in sport and entertainment. I pride myself on truly understanding my clients and their brand (personal or commercial) in order to give accurate and pragmatic advice. I work hard to deliver positive outcomes for my clients on complex and unique legal matters and relish working with the best athletes, entertainers and brands.

I have an extensive network of professional and ancillary contacts in sport and ensure that all my clients benefit from those within my network as part of their wider advisory team.

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.

I am from the North West of England and now live in West London. A passionate football player, tennis player and golfer, I love playing and watching sport.

Experience highlights 

  • Advising on various Premier League and EFL transfers and contract negotiations
  • Acting for a leading Premier League player on a high-profile new boot deal and dispute with former brand
  • Advising a leading commercial agency on its representation agreement with one of the world’s most expensive football players
  • Advising on numerous global trademark portfolios and registering UK trademarks for brands and rightsholders
  • Successfully defending a former premier league defender at The FA Contractual Dispute Tribunal against his club
  • Advising on various boot deals and high value sponsorship deals across football, golf, boxing and motorsport
  • Advising a golfer management agency on their player’s agreement with LIV Golf
  • Advising various academy players on new representation agreements, scholarship deals and first pro contracts
  • Preparing sponsorship, contractor, venue and other ancillary agreement for a PGAET Challenge Tour Tournament
  • Successfully bringing Rule K Arbitration action on behalf of a leading football agency against a former client for non-payment of agency fees
  • Advising various high-profile comedians and influencers on their brand deals, endorsements and representation agreements

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

Ashley Wright

Posted on: February 28th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I am an experienced finance lawyer, responsible for executing transactions on behalf of banks, alternative lenders, sponsors and borrowers. During my career I have acted for numerous leading underwriters and top-tier and mid-market sponsors in the European market and have spent time on secondment (in the loan finance and structured finance legal teams) at an international investment bank.

My practice encompasses all forms of lending. This ranges from leveraged finance transactions (acquisition financing, unitranche and PIK loans), real estate finance (investment, development and bridge lending), general corporate lending (RCFs and term loans) and more bespoke funding structures (margin lending, factoring, loan-on-loan and participation agreements).

To date, I have advised on hundreds of deals from term sheet stage, through document negotiation, to signing and completion and managing any post-close matters. I mix sensible legal advice on key risk points with an eye on the commercial imperatives and flow of a transaction.

Away from work, I enjoy all forms of sport (especially rugby and running) and spending time with family and friends.

Experience highlights 

  • Acting for a sponsor on a €100million term loan with a European credit fund
  • Acting for a sponsor on a unitranche and acquisition finance facility with private debt fund Eurazeo
  • Acting for a sponsor on £52million acquisition facility and RCF with the private debt fund arm of an international bank
  • Acting for a borrower in respect of a £25million loan-on-loan RCF with the fintech bank OakNorth
  • Acting for a London based developer on a bespoke £12million financing package (including with a crowd funding platform and a sales guarantee)
  • Acting for approximately 15 UK based lenders on real estate finance and general corporate lending matters

Priya Patel

Posted on: February 15th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I an Associate in our Dispute Resolution team.

My experience covers a broad range of civil and commercial disputes for individuals and businesses (including high-net-worth individuals). I have acted on matters relating to shareholder and partnership disputes, complex disputes relating to share and purchase acquisitions, breach of contract disputes and high value debt recovery matters (involving emergency relief e.g. injunctive proceedings), individual and corporate insolvency, intellectual property disputes and professional negligence.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, travelling to new places as much as I can, strength-training at the gym and playing the piano.