Director numbers have increased from 28 to 45 and this 60% increase also includes lateral hires in key areas of growth as well as a team of five directors recently recruited from Memery Crystal.

Asim Arshad becomes a director in the disputes resolution team, specialising in commercial litigation.

Asim has experience handling disputes involving crypto assets, including acting for individuals seeking to recover lost or stolen crypto assets.

Anna Christou has been promoted to director in the real estate finance team.

She joined Lawrence Stephens as a trainee solicitor in 2011 and currently acts for UK BTL lenders, bridging lenders, challenger banks and building societies.

Sarah Gallagher has been made a director in the residential real estate team, heading up Lawrence Stephens’ team of specialists in the new build sector.

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While Sarah’s specialism is largely new build work, she also acts for those selling and purchasing residential properties, including shared ownership, HNW and UHNW.

Ausra Triantafyllidou also becomes a director in the real estate finance team.

She acts for several investors with large commercial, residential and mixed-use portfolios, primarily focusing on secured lending transactions including investment and development finance matters.

Steven Bernstein, managing director at Lawrence Stephens, commented: “With these four director promotions, we are proud to be recognising growth from within our own people.

“We continue to demonstrate Lawrence Stephens’ growth in traditional sectors and expansion into emerging ones.

“Asim, Anna, Sarah and Ausra’s specialist expertise reflect the full-service approach we take at Lawrence Stephens, and how we are able to deliver the best outcomes for our clients.”