Dean Wilson LLP’s reputation has been built upon our ability to deliver and exceed our clients’ expectations. For over 100 years our success has been founded upon our client focused approach, backed by the knowledge and expertise of our lawyers.
We aim to deliver outcomes and resolutions efficiently and cost effectively. So whether you need assistance with a business or personal matter we can provide a responsive service delivered to you with expertise and clarity.
Chartered Legal Executive, Private Client
Ashleigh has worked at Dean Wilson LLP for 8 years and specialises in a range of Private Client matters.
Having completed her CILEX qualification in 2021, Ashleigh has grown within the department and has experience in dealing with all aspects of Private Client work including Estate Administration, Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney.
Ashleigh always supports her clients with sensitivity and expertise.
Chartered Legal Executive (FCilex) 2021.
Ashleigh can be contacted by email: AHS@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: (0) 1273 249275.
Paralegal, Commercial Property
James is a Paralegal in the Commercial Property team. He joined the firm in August as a Legal Assistant and was promoted to Paralegal in February. Prior to joining the firm, James worked as a project manager for over a year following his graduation from the University of Bristol.
RECENT CLIENT MATTERS
James is currently managing a number of matters under supervision, including leases, sales and other commercial property transactions.
In one recent matter, James was involved in the grant of leases for three commercial units which were required to complete before the end of the financial year. He opened and completed all three matters within a 10‑day timeframe in order to meet the deadline.
James also assists the fee earners within the department with drafting documents, managing completions, Land Registry applications and preparing Stamp Duty Land Tax returns.
QUALIFICATIONS
LLB (Hons) 2:1, University of Bristol
CONTACT DETAILS
James can be contacted by email at JMM@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial +44 (0)1273 249210.
Paralegal, Dispute Resolution
Edward began his legal career with the firm after graduating from the University of Warwick, currently working as a Paralegal in the Dispute Resolution team.
Edward specialises in residential property matters, where he manages his own caseload and supports landlords through the process of obtaining possession orders and recovering costs. His work also includes handling Section 8 and Section 21 claims under the Housing Act 1988.
Bachelor of Arts in History & Politics: Graduated with Upper Second-Class Honours from the University of Warwick
Edward can be contacted by email: eja@deanwilson.co.ukor on his direct dial: 01273 249222
Partner and head of Private Client
Jonathan has recently joined us as Head of the Private Client Department, following 25 years at his previous firm.
Jonathan is able to deal with all types of private client work, whether you require assistance with Wills, Estate Planning, Inheritance Tax, Lasting Powers of Attorney or administration of estates. Jonathan is experienced in dealing with the most complex cases, which often involve tricky family dynamics.
Jonathan has acted for many of his clients for many years, which is testimony to his passion, which is for exceptional, communication-led, client service. Jonathan has managed and grown, high performing teams with regular communication at the heart of everything.
Jonathan also has a background in property work, contentious probate and Court of Protection matters, and therefore has a good working knowledge of how different areas can interlink. Being able to recognise nuances, and the interrelationship between different aspects in cases, Jonathan believes, is hugely beneficial to providing proactive, joined-up, advice.
Paralegal, Commercial Property
Sara is a Paralegal in the Commercial Property Department. Sara assists Scott Gair in a wide range of Commercial Property matters such as handling the initial onboarding for clients, undertaking legal research and preparing and negotiating legal documents.
Sara went to the University of Brighton from 2014 to 2017 doing Accounting & Finance. In 2023 Sara completed her Master of Laws (LLM) achieving a 2:2.
Following on from Sara's LLM she started studying for her Solicitors Qualifying Exam's and has completed (SQE1) and is preparing to undertake her Solicitors (SQE2) to qualify as a Solicitor.
Sara can be contacted by email smh@deanwilson.co.uk or on direct dial 01273 032317
Paralegal, Dispute Resolution
Matilda recently graduated from Durham University and has now started her legal career at the firm, working as a paralegal within Dispute Resolution.
Matilda currently specialises in residential possession claims, managing her own caseload to assist landlords in gaining possession orders and cost awards. Her work also includes issuing Section 8 and Section 21 notices and proceedings under the Housing Act 1988.
Senior Paralegal, Private Client
Nikki has been with Dean Wilson for over 10 years working across various departments and most recently in Private Client specialising in wills, probate, estate administration, and lasting powers of attorney.
Prior to joining Dean Wilson, Nikki has experience working with another local law firm, the Brighton & Hove City Council and the Victim Support Unit and HR departments of Sussex Police.
Nikki has a wealth of knowledge and over the years has built strong client relationships and developed a deep understanding of sensitive, high-value matters. Nikki supports solicitors and clients with particular emphasis on providing one-to-one assistance with regards to assisting clients in relation to Probate/Estate Administration, Wills and LPAs.
Nikki can be contacted by email nr@deanwilson.co.uk; or on her direct dial: 01273 249216
Trainee Solicitor, Commercial Property
Erin assists our Corporate Commercial team in a wide range of corporate transactions including share and asset acquisitions and disposals, as well as shareholders’ agreements and company restructuring. Erin's main responsibilities include drafting legal ancillary documents, legal due diligence reports and carrying out research.
Erin graduated from the University of Sussex in 2022 with a first class LLB. Erin aspires to qualify as a solicitor via the SQE route, solidifying her dedication to professional growth and contributing to the legal field with her expertise.
Erin can be contacted by email: egb@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249227.
Partner, Real Estate & Commercial Property and Development
Jo trained and practised at a silver circle corporate law firm for a decade before moving to a regional firm in Gatwick. When the opportunity finally arose to practise in Brighton 7 years ago, Jo jumped at the chance of joining Dean Wilson LLP.
With almost 20 years’ experience, Jo specialises in all areas of non-contentious commercial property, property finance and development. She acts for a variety of clients: investors, developers, landlords, tenants, assignees in relation to refinancing, acquisitions, disposals, leases, management matters and development contracts.
Jo can be contacted by email: jnt@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249252.
Jo is assisted by Katherine Glasson, Legal Secretary within the Real Estate Department. Katherine’s contact details are: Email: kg@deanwilson.co.uk Direct Dial: 01273 249266.
Partner & Head of Corporate Department
Neel has diverse transactional experience advising clients on share and asset acquisitions and disposals, secured and unsecured lending, joint ventures, shareholders’ agreements and company restructuring. He also advises on a wide range of commercial contracts for the supply of goods and services for well-established local and national clients covering music, arts and culture, close protection security, education and training, recruitment, travel and so forth.
Neel has a strong focus on client care and a commercially focused approach, which has led to him establishing a reputation for always completing matters on time and within budget. Neel dedicates himself to providing clients a personal service and creating long-standing relationships to help businesses continue to succeed during their life cycles.
Solicitor
LLB Hons
Neel can be contacted by email: nku@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 249 224.
Partner, Employment Law
Clare Waller is an experienced employment lawyer who acts primarily for employers, ranging from SMEs and owner-managed businesses to HR directors and business owners, across the South East and beyond. Clare’s approach is strategic, commercially focused, and tailored to the unique needs of each client.
Unlike mass HR providers, Clare delivers legally robust advice from a qualified solicitor who gets to know your business and your strategic priorities. Her solutions are designed to protect your business, your people, and your reputation, and stand up in court if challenged.
Clare read Law at the University of Reading, achieved distinction in the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law, Guildford, and holds a Masters in Employment Law from the University of East Anglia. She qualified in 1999 and became a Partner at HRJ LLP in 2002, later joining Hewitsons LLP and then Dean Wilson LLP to head up its employment law team.
Book a free 30-minute Employer Risk Review
Email: CRW@deanwilson.co.uk
Direct dial: (01273) 249277
Solicitor, Dispute Resolution
Mollie is a solicitor in the firm’s dispute resolution department, specialising in property litigation. She has experience with landlord and tenant disputes (both commercial and residential), and other property disputes such as dilapidations, boundary disputes and TOLATA 1996. Mollie also has experience with enfranchisement.
Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
LPC LLM with Distinction in Professional Legal Practice
Mollie can be contacted by email: mcd@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249234
Senior Paralegal, Dispute Resolution
Molly is a Senior Paralegal in the Dispute Resolution team, and specialise in Landlord and Tenant matters. Molly assists with lease extensions (both statutory and informal), freehold acquisitions, deeds of variations and a variety of Landlord and Tenant issues.
Molly has over 5 years’ experience working in the legal industry, having previously worked in a local firm, which included working in Residential Property.
History BA (Hons) 2:2
Postgraduate LLM Merit
Molly can be contacted by email: moh@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249264
Solicitor, Dispute Resolution
Rory is a solicitor in the Dispute Resolution team specialising in construction law.
Within the construction field, he has experience in both contentious and non-contentious transactional matters.
In dispute resolution, he has experience in a wide range of areas, including breach of contract, insurance, dilapidations, trust and cohabitation disputes, and contested probate matters.
Bachelor of Arts, History, Literature and Culture
Solicitor (SQE)
Rory can be contacted by email: RFL@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 032336
Partner, Dispute Resolution
Claire’s expertise is in property related disputes, landlord and tenant matters, and enfranchisement matters.
Claire’s clients include commercial and private landlords, property agents, tenants’ associations, trusts and other commercial entities in the leisure and retail sector nationwide. Her work is derived almost entirely from recommendations.
She is recommended in Chambers & Partner. Claire has a good eye for those all-important details, undertakes advocacy and has a practical working relationship with other professionals. Her strong belief in looking after her clients' best interests is her motivating force.
Claire can be contacted by email: CLW@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: (0) 1273 249229.
Paralegal, Commercial Property and Development
Tara graduated from the University of Sussex in 2023 with a degree in Law and Business Management. Since graduating, she has gained valuable experience as a Paralegal, joining Dean Wilson LLP in 2026 from a regional law firm where she worked within Commercial Property. During this time, Tara has assisted with and managed a wide range of commercial property transactions.
At Dean Wilson LLP, Tara primarily supports Jo Taylor, Partner in Real Estate, Commercial Property and Development, assisting with a broad range of matters and providing valuable support across the team.
LLB (Hons)
Tara Dewey can be contacted by email: tid@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249 206
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