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.
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 Family Department
Julian is a highly experienced family practitioner who heads up the Family Department. Julian is a trained Collaborative lawyer and Mediator. Julian is Top Ranked in the Chambers Legal Directory with testimonials including “a really good lawyer, experienced, calm and can fight his client’s corner with flair and creativity without making the dispute intractable.”
Julian’s focus is on resolving, not creating conflict, encouraging negotiation, and finding solutions. Julian is adept at bringing a calm, focused and if necessary, robust approach to contentious and complex financial situations. Julian will bring empathy and solutions to child related matters. Julian will strive to find the approach which will best benefit the individual and to prepare them for life after separation.
Julian’s specialties :
advising on high net worth and complex separations, involving businesses, Trusts, and pension issues
dealing with cases using the Collaborative model
resolving childcare disputes
advising on pre and post nuptial agreements
advising on cohabitation disputes
Chambers ranked No 1 in Family/Matrimonial - “extremely experienced, sensible and really resolution-focused.” ‘Julian is one of the toughest negotiators but one of the most charming men you will ever meet.’
Legal 500 Ranked – “an experienced practitioner who is well known and respected by opponents and the judiciary.” “straight talking, trustworthy and well respected locally.”
Julian can be contacted by email: JBH@deanwilson.co.uk or on their direct dial: (0) 1273 249223.
Senior Paralegal, Personal Injury & Medical Negligence
Tom is a Senior Paralegal in the Personal Injury and Medical Negligence department. He currently assists Ben Davey and Jessica Edwards and assists on a variety of cases ranging from moderate to high-value catastrophic injury cases involving brain injury and spinal cord injury.
Tom can be contacted by email: TSG@deanwilson.co.uk or on their direct dial: (0) 1273 032346.
HR Officer
Melissa is a dedicated HR Officer with a passion for fostering a positive and supportive work environment. Melissa has a strong background in Law, having joined the firm as a Paralegal in Dispute Resolution before transitioning into human resources.
Melissa oversees the general day-to-day employee relations, arranges training for the firm and manages the recruitment and onboarding process while ensuring a seamless employee experience.
Melissa brings Percy, her adorable Golden Retriever pup, into the office. One of the firm's benefits is having a dog-friendly office.
Melissa has completed her Level 3 CIPD and is currently undergoing Level 5.
Melissa can be contacted by email mjf@deanwilson.co.uk, or on her direct dial, 01273 032329.
Senior Paralegal, Corporate Department
Natalia is a highly competent paralegal who has a range of transactional experience in corporate matters. She has been assisting the Company Commercial department in share and asset acquisitions and disposals, company restructuring and various other complex matters. Her main responsibilities include drafting legal documents, intensive researching, and providing assistance through due diligence processes. She has independently taken charge in leading matters and has previously completed transactions under supervision which has earned her great appreciation amongst clients.
Natalia can be contacted by email: nxr@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 032332.
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.
Executive, Court of Protection
Georgia is a Legal Executive in the Court of Protection Team. Since joining the team in 2018, Georgia is an emerging talent, rapidly establishing herself as a highly capable practitioner in high‑value and complex deputyship work. Her strong analytical skills, proactive approach, and natural ability to connect with clients and professionals alike have already made her an invaluable member of the department.
Georgia has experience with the following:
Georgia can be contacted by email: gk@deanwilson.co.uk or on their direct dial: (0) 1273 032316.
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, Property Department
David Barling is one of the Partners in the Property Department and has considerable experience in all types of Commercial Property Law.
David acts for a number of property investors and property companies on a wide scale and is used to dealing with very high value transactions. David also deals with mortgages and in particular, high value loan market association type mortgages.
David is also experienced in Local Government work having been a member of a number of Councils over the years latterly West Sussex County Council.
Partner, Dispute Resolution
Gabrielle is a solicitor in the firm’s Dispute Resolution team with over 20 years of experience in property litigation.
Gabrielle’s commercial landlord and tenant practice makes up a core part of her workload. She acts for both landlords and tenants on various issues, including breach of covenant, dilapidation claims, contentious lease renewals and forfeiture.
Gabrielle has a strong interest in real property disputes, especially arising from development of land. She acts in many cases concerning restrictive covenants, boundary disputes, easements and adverse possession.
Gabrielle is the firm’s specialist on fire safety following the implementation of the Building Safety Act 2022 and associated legislation. She regularly delivers seminars to Managing Agents to keep them abreast of the changes in the law affecting all aspects of residential block management.
Gabrielle also overseas the team’s insurance funded work where we act for Landlords in recovering possession of their properties let on shorthold tenancies.
Gabrielle’s practice area is UK-wide and she conducts cases in various courts and Tribunals to include the Technology and Construction Court.
Gabrielle is ranked as a leading lawyer and next generation partner for property litigation by both Chambers and Partners and Legal 500.
‘Dedicated and excellent in addressing the issues and working to resolve the dispute. Good communication and tailored service. Highly recommend.’
‘We are being advised by Gabrielle Moffatt. She has been supportive and extremely helpful in dealing with the complex and continuing problems we are facing, in a situation which involves dealing with some extremely aggressive and difficult people. We have received excellent advice and Gabrielle Moffatt’s thoroughness, helpfulness, professional and personable approach has been very supportive and beneficial during that time we have been seeking advice from her.’
"I have been extremely impressed and reassured by Gabrielle's attention to detail and professionalism. She has made an extremely stressful process vastly more bearable."
Gabrielle can be contacted by email: grm@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249253.
Gabrielle’s secretary Vanisha Parekh’s can be contacted by email: vxp@deanwilson.co.uk or her direct dial 01273 032355.
Trainee Solicitor, Dispute Resolution
Hattie joined the firm in January 2026 as a Trainee Solicitor and is currently undertaking her second training seat in our Dispute Resolution team.
During her training contract, Hattie has gained experience in both Personal Injury & Medical Negligence and Dispute Resolution, developing a broad understanding of contentious legal matters while working closely with clients and colleagues across the firm.
Prior to joining the firm, Hattie undertook a range of legal experiences, including internships in commercial law and legal recruitment, and shadowing experiences in the criminal courts. Hattie was also a solicitor’s assistant flexibly supporting a small firm in Haywards Heath over a few years.
Bachelor of Law: Graduated with first class honours from the University of Sussex.
Master of Law: Graduated with merit from BPP University alongside passing the Solicitors Qualification Exam (SQE).
Hattie can be contacted by email: HBS@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 032312.
Compliance Manager
Craig joined Dean Wilson in March 2026, after a 20 year career in the financial services industry, providing regulatory and financial crime guidance to a number of high-street firms.
Craig is now providing that expertise to Dean Wilson to help the firm achieve the ‘gold standard’ in the legal sector for compliance with regulatory and legislative requirements, assisting the Managing Partner and Finance Director with data protection, complaint management, and other related activities.
Craig can be contacted by email: cfs@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 249269.
Paralegal, Dispute Resolution
Maddie is a recent law graduate and a paralegal in the Dispute Resolution team. She specialises in Landlord and Tenant possession claims, including Section 8 and Section 21 proceedings. Maddie is currently training to manage her own caseload, with a focus on drafting pleadings and progressing matters through court to obtain possession orders and cost awards on behalf of landlords. She is enthusiastic about developing her career in the legal field and gaining further experience in Dispute Resolution.
Solicitor, Corporate Department
AREAS OF SPECIALISM
Umair is a solicitor within our Corporate team, advising on a range of transactional and advisory matters. His work has a particular focus on M&A transactions, including deals in the estate agency sector, as well as corporate governance.
Umair trained at a central London firm, where he gained experience across corporate and commercial work, dispute resolution, and landlord & tenant matters before qualifying as a solicitor in October 2025.
QUALIFICATIONS
CONTACT DETAILS
Umair can be contacted by email: usu@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 032369
Associate Solicitor, Private Client
Rebecca qualified into the Private Client team in 2019 after completing her training contract with Dean Wilson LLP. Rebecca studied the LPC at BPP Holborn London after studying Law LLB at the University of Nottingham. Rebecca is working towards full membership with the Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and has further qualifications in Administration of Estates, Administration of Trusts and Taxation of Trusts and Estates.
Rebecca has experience in dealing with:
Rebecca can provide advice on the best type of Wills taking account of a client’s personal circumstances, tax position and inheritance planning.
Rebecca has a broad range of experience in probate cases including high value probates, intestacies, Ad Colligenda Bona (limited grants usually required for the quick sale of property), and fractious families.
Rebecca can be contacted by email: RCG@deanwilson.co.uk or on their direct dial: (0) 1273 249280.
Paralegal, Dispute Resolution
Clayton is a Paralegal in the Dispute Resolution team, specialising in residential property repossession under Section 8 and Section 21. Clayton helps landlords navigate the legal process with clear advice and practical support, making complex procedures feel more manageable.
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