PROTOPAPAS - Key Persons
Aglaia Vlachou LLB graduated from the Law School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in 2017. She completed her legal training in Greece and qualified as a Greek lawyer. Following this Aglaia completed an MSc in International Business Administration at Hult Business School in London in 2019.
Aglaia joined Protopapas in March 2022 as a Paralegal working in and closely with the Real Estate department.
Alison Morris has been a legal secretary since 1990 and has been working for Jeremy Blain for 10 years. Prior to that she has worked in a number of law firms and gained experience primarily in real estate. She works very closely with Jeremy and his clients.
Alison joined Protopapas in October 2023 at the same time as Jeremy.
Austin Weinberg LLB, graduated in law at Queen Mary College London University in 1969. Austin has been in private practice as a solicitor since April 1972. He joined Protopapas LLP in January 2018.
Chris Ormiston joined Protopapas LLP in August 2023 as an assistant to our Practice Cashier. Chris is currently undertaking his ACCA qualification with a view to qualifying as a Chartered Accountant.
Chrysanthos Protopapas LLB graduated in Law from The University of Reading in 2011 and completed his Legal Practice Course at the College of Law, London in 2012. Chrysanthos completed his training at Protopapas LLP, qualified as a solicitor in April 2014 and was made partner in September 2016.
David Berens BA(Dunelm) graduated from Durham University in 1984, having read Law & Politics. David then went to the College of Law and finalised his training at one of Manchester's top commercial law firms, before qualifying as a solicitor in 1988.
Job Titles:
- Office Assistant
- in 2000 As a Secretary
Doulla Xenophontos joined Protopapas LLP in 2000 as a secretary. In 2009 she left to raise her family and re-joined in January 2018 as a general office assistant.
Doulla assists all fee earners as and when necessary with general office tasks. She also assists in file archiving.
Elena Stavrinou LLB Hons, graduated with a Law degree from Queen Mary University of London and continued her studies at the College of Law, London where she completed the Legal Practice Course.
Elena is a Partner in our Real Estate Department having joined Protopapas LLP as a trainee solicitor in 2002 and worked her way to Partner level in 2008.
Areas of Practice
Elena acts for international off-shore and domestic property investors on a wide range of commercial property transactions including acquisitions, follow-on asset management and disposal of retail/office and mixed-use investments particularly within central London. Elena has particular expertise in advising on pre-letting and letting matters and has wide experience of landlord and tenant matters.
Foz Haque BA (Hons) graduated in 2001 in Accounting and Finance and landed his first job at a firm of Solicitors in Surrey in April 2001 as a Trainee legal Accountant.
He became a member of ACCA and completed the Second Stage by early 2003. He progressed to Practice Accountant in 2003 where he was responsible for managing the accounts department and where his duties included preparing accounts in accordance with Solicitors Accounts Rules as well as maintaining the client ledger and liaising with the Auditors.
In June 2011 Foz joined Protopapas LLP and is responsible for maintaining the practice accounts in accordance with the Solicitors' Accounts Rules. Foz is also the firm's Compliance Office for Finance & Administration.
Jeremy Blain, LLB Hons, qualified as a Solicitor in 1976 having read Law at Leeds University. Jeremy is a Partner in our Real Estate department having joined the firm in October 2023.
Julian Oldfield qualified as solicitor in 1999 and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. Julian completed his Legal Practice Course in Guildford in the 1990's and worked at a law firm in Wimbledon for 15 years. In 2005, Julian took Partnership and owned and managed three law firms in Hampshire and London for six years. In addition to his role at Protopapas, Julian is a consultant to a number of law firms and commercial organisations driving growth and change management.
Areas of Focus
Julian is also an expert in legal compliance and risk management. Julian's main focus at Protopapas is concentrated towards the future growth of the firm. Julian has a strong track record of delivering value and strategy through business focused teams and has developed a very good understanding of commercial organisations. His commercial awareness and the methodology used to drive the values, behaviours and ethos of the firm will be deployed in order to assist with the firm's future growth. Julian engages in a collaborative and open style that provides and allows for strong leadership, developing high performing teams and building strong relationships at all levels.
Maria Nushikayn LL.B, LL.M graduated from the University of Sussex in 2013. She then went on to complete her Masters with a Distinction at the same university. Maria studied for the Legal Practice Course while working full-time at her local law firm in Wimbledon.
Maria joined Protopapas LLP in November 2021 as a Trainee Solicitor and qualified into our litigation department in December 2023. She is fluent in English, Greek, Armenian and Russian.
Maria's practice area focuses on civil and commercial litigation, advising both corporate and private individuals on the resolution of a wide range of contract and other civil proceedings, disputes and contentious matters, including family matters.
Maria Nushikayn LL.B, LL.M graduated from the University of Sussex in 2013. She then went on to complete her Masters with a Distinction at the same university. Maria studied for the Legal Practice Course while working full-time at her local law firm in Wimbledon.
Maria joined Protopapas LLP in November 2021 as a Trainee Solicitor and qualified into our litigation department in December 2023. She is fluent in English, Greek, Armenian and Russian.
Maria's practice area focuses on civil and commercial litigation, advising both corporate and private individuals on the resolution of a wide range of contract and other civil proceedings, disputes and contentious matters, including family matters.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate - Real Estate
Maria Pachomiou, LL.B, LL.M graduated from the University of Sussex in 2014 with LL.B (Hons). She went on to complete the Legal Practice Course at The University of Law, London Bloomsbury and submitted a Professional Practice Dissertation on International Arbitration pursuant to her LL.M in International Legal Practice.
Maria joined Protopapas LLP as a Trainee Solicitor in September 2015 and qualified as a solicitor in October 2017.
Job Titles:
- Legal Secretary
- PA / Legal Secretary
Marilyn Sperling has been a PA and Legal Secretary since 1962. She has been working for and with Austin Weinberg since 1975 and joined Protopapas LLP with Austin in January 2018.
Over the many years Marilyn has gained a wealth of experience in Real Estate matters and transactions. Austin and Marilyn are a team within the Protopapas team and work exceptionally well together. Austin regards Marilyn as his right hand person who is more than capable of liaising with clients and dealing with matters at his direction. Marilyn also assists other fee earners as and when necessary.
Maryam Aziz LLB LLM graduated from Birkbeck, University of London in 2019 having studied Law. In 2020, Maryam completed the Legal Practice Course with a Masters in Law at City, University of London, and she submitted a Legal Practice dissertation on Corporate Finance Law pursuant to her LLM studies.
Maryam joined Protopapas LLP in September 2021 as a Paralegal and was awarded a Training Contract in January 2022. Maryam is fluent in conversational Arabic. Maryam qualified into our Real Estate transactional team in October 2023
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate - Real Estate
Michael Goodman, LLB (Hons), qualified as a Solicitor in 1998 having read Law at Glasgow University, and then completing the CPE and Legal Practice Course at the Manchester Metropolitan University.
Michael is a Senior Associate in our Real Estate department having joined the firm in 2024.
Michael Michael LLB (Hons) qualified as a solicitor in 2019 after having studied Law at Brunel University in 2009 and completed the Legal Practice Course at BPP University in 2013 with a distinction in every subject.
Michael initially spent some time at Protopapas LLP, as a Paralegal, in 2018; and then re-joined Protopapas LLP in November 2023 as an Associate.
Job Titles:
- Trainee Solicitor
- Senior Associate - Real Estate
Monica Robinson LLB, LL.M graduated in Law from The University of Reading in 2011. Monica continued her postgraduate studies at The University of Reading where she obtained a masters degree in International Corporate Finance Law. Monica then completed her Legal Practice Course at The College of Law, London in 2013.
In August 2013, Monica joined Protopapas LLP as a trainee solicitor where she predominantly trained with and shadowed the partners and solicitors within the Real Estate Department of the firm. Monica qualified as a solicitor in September 2015.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate - Real Estate
Nadia Marcoullides BSc Hons LLB graduated in Biology from University College London in 1994. She then completed the Law conversion course and the Legal practice Course at the College of Law, London in 1996.
Nadia qualified as a solicitor in November 2000 and continued in private practice until 2004 after which she took time out to raise her family. After a number of years working in the insurance sector, Nadia joined Protopapas LLP in 2016.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Senior Associate - Real Estate
Patrick Lees, LLB Hons, qualified as a Solicitor in 1998 having read Business Law at The City University and its Business School, and then the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in Guildford. Patrick also studied at Harvard University, and undertook work experience at firms in both the United States and Germany.
Patrick is a Senior Associate in our Real Estate department having joined the firm in 2022.
Ramon Biyria BA graduated from University of Nottingham in 2022 having studied Philosophy. Ramon then undertook a Post Graduate Diploma in Law at the University of Law, Bloomsbury, graduating in 2023.
Ramon joined Protopapas LLP in August 2023 as a Trainee Solicitor undertaking the SQE route. Ramon is fluent in conversational Farsi and has worked with the Ministry of Defence as an Interpreter. Ramon will be supervised throughout his training by Zoe Protopapas and Chrysanthos Protopapas.
Rena Mentis LLB, LL.M graduated with a Law degree from Queen Mary University of London and continued her postgraduate studies at University College London where she obtained a masters degree in Intellectual Property Law.
Rena initially joined Protopapas LLP as a Trainee Solicitor in 2005 and was a Partner from 2010-2019. Rena re-joined Protopapas LLP in April 2023 as a Partner.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate - Private Client
Sarwan Ghuman BA (Hons), LLB graduated from Kingston University with a BA (Hons) in Business and Media Cultural Studies. She began her legal career in 2008 by completing a Graduate Diploma in Law and the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in London, qualifying as a solicitor with the City based firm of Royds LLP in August 2012.
Sarwan first joined Protopapas LLP in May 2021. She is a specialist will drafter and Private Client solicitor. Sarwan is STEP (the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) qualified and is currently working towards accreditation with Solicitors for the Elderly, the independent national organisation of lawyers, who provide specialist legal advice for older and vulnerable people, their families and carers.
Sharon Bhamra BA Hons graduated in law and business from University of Wolverhampton. She undertook various tasks and roles in her career, predominantly within the legal industry, working in solicitors' offices and barristers' chambers. Sharon is well versed in project management and business administration.
Sharon joined Protopapas in April 2022 as our Office Manager.
Socrates deals with the business development aspect of Protopapas LLP. Socrates has had many years' experience in the advertising and marketing industry particularly with online ventures and social media.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor
- Senior Associate - Litigation
Susan Fritsche is a Solicitor with over 25 years extensive experience in civil and property litigation. She initially qualified as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives in 1996 after a decade of attending night school, whilst working full time in a solicitors practice. She went on to complete the conversion examinations and the Legal Practice Course at The College of Law, London before being admitted as a Solicitor in 1999. Susan worked for a City firm for many years before joining Protopapas.
Job Titles:
- Compliance Consultant
- External Compliance Consultant
Tony is an external compliance consultant who has worked with Protopapas LLP since May 2019; and he is very much part of the Protopapas Team.
Tony has over 10 years' experience in professional regulation and risk management, and previously worked for the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Reporting to our Compliance Officer for Legal Practice, Tony provides day to day advice in the core areas of SRA regulation, risk management and undertakes regular reviews of our policies and procedures for Lexcel and ISO purposes.
Tony is also a Law Society accredited Lexcel consultant.
Job Titles:
- Founder
- Founder in Memoriam
Zekiye Osmankan joined Protopapas LLP in August 2022 after having previously worked for many years within the legal industry, in solicitors' offices.
Zekiye is one of our front of house receptionists and is PA to the Partners. She also undertakes legal secretarial work and assists all fee earners as and when necessary with general office tasks.
Job Titles:
- Senior Partner
- Real Estate Specialist
Zoë is a Real Estate Specialist and deals with both residential conveyancing and commercial conveyancing in London and England generally. Zoë heads a team of dedicated property solicitors that handle small and large transactions with the same attention to detail, delivering results every time and on time. Zoë particularly specialises in negotiating and drafting complex commercial contracts of all types and acting in high value commercial and residential property transactions.
Zoë Protopapas BA (Law) graduated in law in 1980 and was called to the English Bar in 1981. She had the privilege of a pupillage in one of the most prestigious set of Chambers in Lincoln's Inn specialising in real estate and commercial law. Zoë then went to Cyprus where she was called to the Cyprus Bar and practised as a principal in general practice. Upon her return to England, Zoë qualified as a solicitor in 1988 and specialised in property law. Zoë has been a partner at Proto papas LLP since 1991 where she heads the property department.