Zara Shahzad

Commercially minded Solicitor with experience advising corporate entities, business owners and high-net-worth individuals on corporate transactions, shareholder matters, commercial disputes and complex legal documentation. Experienced in drafting and negotiating Share Purchase Agreements, Facility Agreements, Personal Guarantees and other commercial contracts. Advised extensively on legal compliance matters, including GDPR, anti-bribery and corruption, sanctions, and anti-money laundering regulations.

Demonstrates strong technical ability combined with a pragmatic and business-focused approach to legal advice. Comfortable working in fast-paced law firm environments managing multiple transactions simultaneously while maintaining exceptional client service standards.

Solicitor at Church Lane Solicitors (2024-06 – Present)

Solicitor providing corporate and commercial legal services including shareholder disputes, corporate governance, and transaction work.

• Advising corporate clients and business owners on shareholder disputes, director obligations and corporate governance issues
• Drafting and negotiating Share Purchase Agreements and ancillary transaction documents
• Preparing and advising on facility agreements, personal guarantees and commercial lending documentation
• Negotiating and drafting Leases and Head Leases for commercial leasing transactions relating to retail, office and industrial spaces
• Conducting AML assessments and Due Diligence for each transaction and maintaining ongoing monitoring as necessary
• Responsible for the firm's MLRO duties and maintaining AML handbook and procedures
• Handling civil and commercial litigation matters including drafting Letters Before Action, Claim Forms, Particulars of Claim and Defences
• Advising clients on dispute resolution strategies and settlement negotiations
• Managing commercial property matters including lease assignments and forfeiture proceedings
• Supporting private client matters including wills, probate applications and estate administration
• Managing residential property transactions from instruction through to completion

Trainee Solicitor at Church Lane Solicitors (2023-07 – 2024-06)

Trainee Solicitor assisting with corporate transactions, litigation, family law, commercial leases and residential conveyancing.

• Assisted senior solicitors and counsel with corporate transactions including drafting and reviewing Share Purchase Agreements
• Prepared litigation documentation including claim forms, pleadings and trial bundles
• Family law proceedings including divorce petitions and financial remedy applications, representing clients at initial court hearings
• Assisted with commercial lease matters including assignments and landlord-tenant disputes
• Handled residential conveyancing matters including liaising with lenders, estate agents and clients

Trainee Solicitor at Taylors Legal (2022-12 – 2023-07)

Trainee Solicitor managing a personal portfolio of residential and commercial property clients including high-net-worth individuals.

• Maintained a personal portfolio of residential and commercial property clients including high-net-worth individuals
• Handled Deeds of Variation, Help to Buy transactions and Transfers of Equity
• Built professional relationships with estate agents, brokers and property developers
• Maintained billing records and monitored financial performance of legal matters

Senior Paralegal at Taylors Legal (2022-08 – 2022-12)

Senior Paralegal supervising junior staff and coordinating workflow within the conveyancing department.

• Supervised junior staff and coordinated workflow within the conveyancing department
• Managed high-volume new build property transactions
• Assisted with corporate property transactions involving company buyers
• Ensured compliance with AML regulations and source of funds requirements

Fee Earner at QC Law (2022-04 – 2022-08)

Fee Earner managing residential purchase and sale transactions including remortgages and staircasing matters.

• Managed residential purchase and sale transactions including remortgages and staircasing matters
• Prepared documentation for lease assignments and transfers of part
• Conducted AML and source of funds verification in accordance with regulatory obligations

Paralegal at Juno Property Lawyers (2018-08 – 2021-10)

Paralegal assisting solicitors with residential conveyancing matters in a rapidly growing legal tech environment.

• Assisted solicitors with residential conveyancing matters including sales, purchases and separate representation
• Managed post-completion matters including Land Registry submissions
• Worked within a rapidly growing legal tech environment handling high-volume caseloads

LPC with LLM in Law – BPP Law School (2021-09 – 2022-06)

LLB in Law – Middlesex University (2014-09 – 2017-06)