Biography
I am a Greek-speaking Senior Associate Solicitor in the London Residential Property and Leasehold Enfranchisement Team at Irwin Mitchell, based in our London office. I help people understand the minefield of residential leasehold law as well as keeping up to date with current issues.
I'm a member of the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners and specialise in residential landlord and tenant matters, with particular experience in extending leases for flats and houses, individual and collective enfranchisement, freehold reversion sales and purchases and Section 5 rights of first refusal under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987. I also have extensive experience in high-end residential conveyancing in and outside London and secured lending.
My clients include family offices, domestic and overseas investment companies, landlords, lessees, property development companies, management companies and managing agents.
My specialties include:
- Collective enfranchisement claims
- Lease Extension claims
- Voluntary lease extensions
- House Lease Extensions and enfranchisement
- Residential conveyancing
- Secured lending
- Portfolio purchases and refinancing
- Residential portfolio advice and management e.g. licences, deeds of covenant
- Rights of First Refusal
- Missing Landlord Claims
- Deeds of Variation.
Our team advises anyone involved in the landlord and tenant realm. Corporate and individual landlords, tenants, holders of intermediate leasehold interests and property managers on all residential leasehold matters – even if the landlord cannot be found.
We deal with the enfranchisement, lease extension or RTM process from inception to completion and all steps along the way, including representation in the First-tier Tribunal of the Property Chamber or Courts as necessary. We work closely with some of the best expert valuation surveyors in the field and can help clients choose a valuer.
With experience of dealing with properties in Central London and offices in major centres throughout the country, the Leasehold Enfranchisement team is wide-ranging in its perspective and geographical reach.
What inspired you to get into law?
I was drawn to study for an International Law LLM as a result of my undergraduate degree in International Relations; the more I learned the more I wanted to put the law into practice. Following an 18-month stint working in arbitration I decided that working as a Solicitor would better suit my personality and so I started the long but very rewarding journey of qualifying as a Solicitor, which I achieved in 2013.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your role?
I enjoy working in a successful and professional team who pull together to provide our clients a sterling service in reaching their goals. As a Senior Associate in the Team I work to train and support our junior members gain confidence and skill as they progress in their careers and Irwin Mitchell are champions for the career progression of our talent.
What do you like about working at Irwin Mitchell?
Having worked in vastly smaller firms previously, I initially had reservations about working for a firm as large as Irwin Mitchell. Those concerns quickly disappeared as whilst the firm is large there is a true sense of community and working as a team. The firm’s approach is client-centric and as a full-service firm we look to provide a one-stop-shop to each of our clients.
What do you do away from the office?
I am a ‘foodie’ and am forever looking for new restaurants to try out when I am not trying out new recipes. Otherwise I am planning my next trip overseas and spending time with family and friends.
Awards
Enfranchisement and Right to Manage Awards (ERMAs) 2022 - Shortlisted for Firm of the Year
Testimonials
"We would like you to know that your support to us and the way you handled our case at every step has been invaluable and outstanding, and was a catalyst in overcome those few challenges and within such a good timeline. Chris and I are deeply grateful to you and your team, and we would most definitely recommend you and Irwin Mitchell, and work with you again.” – Client, March 2023
"This was a complicated transaction involving a lease extension , with several technical issues. I was given expert, practical advice by Joanna Themistokli, an experienced lawyer, and kept fully informed throughout. I would not hesitate to return should a similar situation arise." - 5* Trustpilot review
"Joanna Themistokli from the London office has been most helpful with the sale and purchase of my new London property." - Leslie, Client - June 2021
"Joanna was always available to me and explained all the different documents to me in a clear manner and was able to answer any queries I had. Joanna was professional, helpful and responsive throughout the transaction, going above and beyond to ensure that my purchase went through." - 5* Trustpilot review
