Expertise
Laurence predominantly focuses on real estate finance and additionally cover acquisition and leveraged finance. He acts for lenders and borrowers (both on traditional financing and Islamic financing) covering all aspects of the capital stack (senior, mezzanine, preferred equity) and all asset classes including office, residential, logistics, student accommodation, hotels and self-storage. His practice is UK and overseas including the more complex multi-jurisdictional cross-border deals. Clients will often come to him to help source potential buyers or lenders for deals or for introductions to particular players in the market.
Recent Experience
- Acted for Pollen Street Capital in relation to a Manchester-based developer’s borrowing to assist with the development of a c.£50m residential tower in central Manchester.
- Acted for Griffen UK in relation to their development financing from DRC Capital of a portfolio of logistics sites in the UK.
- Acted for Starz Mortgage Capital in relation to their financing of two student accommodation properties in Exeter and Cardiff.
- Acted for Hercules JV Limited in relation to the financing aspects of its joint venture with Investec Property Fund and representing its interest in the joint venture’s financing of an acquisition of a large portfolio of logistics sites across a number of countries on continental Europe.
Career History
Laurence joined Wedlake Bell in February 2021. He qualified in 1998 and prior to joining Wedlake Bell he worked in the London office of a US law firm.
Endorsements
Laurence is consistently recognised in both the Chambers and Legal 500 directories (where he is in the Hall of Fame) for real estate financing. He is also recognised as an Acritas Star.