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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 make it our business to know yours

Having your needs and goals in mind

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.

Will I

William Irvine

Paralegal, Dispute Resolution 

Will I

William Irvine

Paralegal, Dispute Resolution 

Area of Specialism

William is a recent first-class law graduate from West of England University. This is Williams's first role in law and he is currently assisting the team on Landlord and Tenant matters including the possession proceedings by way of Section 8 and/or Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

Qualifications

  • First Class Honours LLB Degree from the University of the West of England

William can be contacted by email: WXI@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 249255

Rachel Makore

Rachel Makore

Associate Solicitor, Personal Injury & Medical Negligence

Rachel Makore

Rachel Makore

Associate Solicitor, Personal Injury & Medical Negligence

Rachel is an Associate Solicitor in the Personal Injury & Medical Negligence team assisting Alex Brown, as well as running her own caseload. Rachel qualified as a solicitor in April 2016 and joined Dean Wilson LLP in January 2026 having previously worked at a highly reputable firm in Berkshire. 

Rachel is skilled at building good working relationships with clients. She can explain complex legal issues in straightforward language, ensuring that her advice is comprehensive and clear. She is passionate about providing a high-quality service and achieving positive outcomes for clients and was recognised in the Legal 500 (2025) for going the “extra mile” for her client.

 Expertise

  • Birth injury claims
  • Obstetric injury claims
  • Amputation claims
  • Cauda Equina claims
  • Sepsis claims
  • Cancer claims
  • Fatal Accidents Act

Qualifications, Membership & Directory Rankings

  • Solicitor - Admitted 2016 (LLB Hons)
  • Member of Association of Personal Injury Lawyers
  • Recognised in the Legal 500 (2025) for exceptional client care

Rachel can be contacted by email: RAM@deanwilson.co.uk or on their direct dial: 01273 249290

Rebecca C. Griffiths

Rebecca Griffiths

Associate Solicitor, Private Client 

Rebecca C. Griffiths

Rebecca Griffiths

Associate Solicitor, Private Client 

Areas of Specialism

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:

  • Wills
  • Trusts
  • Probate
  • Tax

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.

Qualifications and Memberships

  • Solicitor
  • LLB
  • Affiliate of STEP

Rebecca can be contacted by email: RCG@deanwilson.co.uk or on their direct dial: (0) 1273 249280. 

frances pierce dean wilson

Frances Pierce

Partner, Deputy, Professional Trustee and Mediator

frances pierce dean wilson

Frances Pierce

Partner, Deputy, Professional Trustee and Mediator

Areas of Specialism

Court of Protection Deputy and Professional Trustee, Catastrophic Personal and Medical Injury Litigation and CEDR accredited Mediator. Frances has a passion for making a difference to lives and has dedicated her whole career to helping clients and their families who suffer from life changing injuries including birth injury, acquired brain injury, spinal, amputees and those with PTSD following serious accidents and traumatic life events. She is a formidable litigator and advocate, and often calls upon her mediation skills to assist her clients and team members with disputes and issues.

Frances has acted in several high profile cases in her career including:

  • XVW & YZA v Gravesend Grammar Schools for Girls & Adventure Life Signs Ltd [2012] (Vicarious Liability in a Civil Rape claim)
  • Jenkins v Young Brothers Transport Ltd [2006] (assignment of Conditional Fee Agreements)
  • AA (Protected Party) v BB and another (2013) (Quasi-Deputyship costs and "stop start" PPO awards)

Many catastrophic personal injury and medical negligence litigation solicitors and Deputies nationally, trust her and seek her advice and support with their vulnerable clients.

  • Professional Deputy managing £540 million of assets on behalf of vulnerable clients.
  • Personal Injury Trust management
  • Specialist in overseeing rehabilitation and building care teams, property purchase and adaptations.
  • Professional Deputy Expert Witness Statements

Recent Client Matters

  • Acting as a Professional Trustee for a young woman during and following a multi-million-pound settlement. Frances has supported the purchase of a ‘forever home’ and is currently adapting this with the assistance of specialist teams. Frances is working closely with the beneficiary of the Trust to ensure she is supported, protected, consulted, and can maximise her independence.
  • Frances has been appointed by another firm as Financial Deputy for a young boy they represent in medical injury litigation. Frances has provided detailed robust expert evidence which has enabled significant damages to be recovered for Deputyship costs for the client’s lifetime. Frances is managing the multi-million-pound interim payment and will manage the final award to benefit the client including adapting his home to accommodate carers, a hydro pool, finding and working with his multidisciplinary rehabilitation team, employing a case manager, carers, managing investments, budgeting and ensuring an excellent quality of life for him.
  • Frances was chosen as the “go to” Deputy for a solicitor in another firm who was retiring from Deputyship work. She has been trusted to take on all the deputyship work and every client has been happy with the transition. Frances and the dedicated team are skilled in managing changes for severely damaged clients.

Qualifications

  • Fellow” of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (“APIL”) 1996 - date
  • Member of the Forum of Complex Injury Solicitors (“FOCIS”) 2013- date
  • Member of the Professional Deputies Forum
  • Kent Law Society (Member 1990 – date) Honorary Secretary (2003- 2010), President (2011-2012) TWDLS President (2010-2011).
  • Ranked Band 1 Chambers and Partners – Personal injury - recognised as a leader nationally.

Frances can be contacted by email: FVP@deanwilson.co.uk or on their direct dial: (0) 1273 249207. 

Pierce, Frances

ML

Maddie Lines

Paralegal, Dispute Resolution 

ML

Maddie Lines

Paralegal, Dispute Resolution 

Areas of Specialism

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.

Qualifications

  • LLB Law graduate (Royal Holloway, University of London)
James Merchant

James Merchant

Paralegal, Commercial Property

James Merchant

James Merchant

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.

Rory

Rory Lindsay

Solicitor, Dispute Resolution

Rory

Rory Lindsay

Solicitor, Dispute Resolution

Areas of Specialism

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.

Recent Client Matters

  • Helped a residential client in a construction dispute with a contractor over defective works, undertaking a high-value extension and renovation. The claim proceeded to trial and resulted in a judgment in favour of the client, ordering the builder to cover the costs of remedial works undertaken by an alternative contractor.
  • Assisted a land developer in an insurance claim after the insurer refused to pay out, alleging that there had been a failure of fair presentation when the policy was entered. The case involved a grey area on the legal position under the Insurance Act 2015. A settlement was achieved in mediation before proceedings were issued, resulting in the developer receiving the majority of the sums originally claimed.
  • Involved in a dispute over a land investment in which the defendant denied the claimant's (Rory’s client) entitlement to one-half of the property and/or the proceeds of sale. At trial, the court found in favour of the claimant, recognising a resulting trust over half of the property and ordering the defendant to pay the claimant’s costs.
  • Drafts various contractual documents for clients, including Bespoke terms and conditions for a high-end landscaper; An amended RIBA 2018 contract for the construction of a new build property; Amended 2016 and 2024 JCT contracts and subcontracts.
  • Instructed on multiple adjudications (representing employers, contractors and subcontractors) over the terms of a contract, payment cycles and notices, claims of contra charges for alleged overpayment and the validity of a contract termination. These resulted in the adjudicators finding in favour of his client
  • Led three mediations in contested probate matters over the last year involving claims of proprietary estoppel and claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. All three resulted in the settlement of the claims.

Qualifications

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

Eimer Batchelor

Eimer Batchelor

Paralegal, Dispute Resolution

Eimer Batchelor

Eimer Batchelor

Paralegal, Dispute Resolution

Areas of Specialism

Eimer is an experienced Paralegal in Dispute Resolution, specialising in property-related matters. Eimer primarily deals with landlord and tenant disputes and assists landlords in recovering possession of their property and any rental arrears that have accrued. Eimer also has experience dealing with broader Property Litigation matters including adverse possession, rights of way disputes and nuisance claims alongside general Civil Litigation. 

Eimer previously worked as a Paralegal in Conveyancing and later as a Paralegal in Property Litigation, while assisting interdepartmentally.

Recent Client Matters 

  • Eimer assisted residential landlords recover possession of their property (and rental arrears) by way of both section 21 and section 8 of the Housing Act 1988.
  • Eimer successfully settled a neighbour dispute arising from an alleged breach of easement early in proceedings.
  • Eimer assisted in settling a high-value insurance dispute concerning alleged misrepresentation. 

Eimer’s Approach

Client satisfaction is at the heart of Eimer’s work as she understands the legal process is daunting, so maintains communication and breaks the process down to be better understood. Eimer aims to empower clients by using plain English and avoiding using legal jargon to give clients clear advice upon all of their options. Eimer is also a strong advocate for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Law (LLB Hons) from the University of Sussex
  • ILSPA Legal Diploma
  • Member of Aspiring Solicitors 
Siobhan Cox

Siobhan Cox

Partner & Head of Department, Property Department 

Siobhan Cox

Siobhan Cox

Partner & Head of Department, Property Department 

Areas of Specialism

Siobhan is the Head of the Residential Property Department. 

Siobhan has worked for Dean Wilson LLP for over 20 years and specialises in both Residential and Commercial property transactions. 

Siobhan has a vast amount of clients worldwide and has an excellent reputation with estate agents, mortgage brokers, surveyors and the like.

Recent Client Matters

  • Sale of London Residence worth in excess of £5m,
  • Refinance of commercial and residential portfolio worth in excess of £20m
  • Purchase of block of residential units worth in excess of £50m

Qualifications, Membership 

  • Solicitor
  • LLB Hons

Siobhan can be contacted by email: sac@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249205. 

Siobhan is assisted by Fatima Hussain, Paralegal within the Property Department. Fatima’s contact details are: Email: fyh@deanwilson.co.uk Direct Dial: 01273 249209. 

Jo Taylor Dean Wilson

Jo Taylor

Partner, Real Estate & Commercial Property and Development 

Jo Taylor Dean Wilson

Jo Taylor

Partner, Real Estate & Commercial Property and Development 

Areas of Specialism

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.

Recent Client Matters

  • Acquisition of multi-let office block
  • Financing and refinancing of commercial portfolios
  • Business acquisitions
  • Leases and regears

Qualifications, Membership 

  • Solicitor
  • BSocSc Hons
  • Masters
  • PgDL

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. 

Summer Woodman

Summer Woodman

Paralegal, Personal Injury & Medical Negligence

Summer Woodman

Summer Woodman

Paralegal, Personal Injury & Medical Negligence

AREAS OF SPECIALISM

Summer Woodman joined the Personal Injury & Medical Negligence team in September 2023, first starting as a Legal Assistant before moving into her current role as Paralegal in June 2025. 

Summer assists Ben Davey, Jessica Edwards, and Lyubov Nickollchova on a broad range of personal injury and medical negligence claims including: 

  • Catastrophic Injury (including amputation and spinal cord injury)
  • Traumatic Brain Injury 
  • Fatal Accident Claims including Inquests 
  • Road Traffic Accidents 
  • Accidents at Work 

In her role, Summer assists the solicitors in her team throughout a claim, providing a compassionate and empathetic approach, to ensure their clients are kept informed, updated and supported throughout the process of their legal claim. 

RECENT CLIENT MATTERS

Summer has assisted the team in successfully settling claims for client’s, including some of the following personal injury, inquest and medical negligence cases: 

Substantial Six-Figure Settlement Following Road Traffic Accident | Dean Wilson LLP

£5.6 million brain & spinal injury settled

Dean Wilson Secures Settlement for Spinal Injury Following Aircraft Crash

Failure by NHS Trust Played Part in Mother’s Suicide | Dean Wilson LLP

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust agrees compensation protocol for families of David Fuller’s mortuary victims | Dean Wilson LLP

QUALIFICATIONS

Law LLB 

Legal Practice LLM (LPC) 

FEEDBACK 

May 2026 

‘I cannot thank Ben, Jessica, Dean Wilson Solicitors and Summer their paralegal enough for everything they have done for me throughout my accident and injuries claim case over the past three and a half years.

From the very beginning, they have been incredibly professional, compassionate, and genuinely supportive during what has been a very long and emotional journey.

Communication has always been timely and clear, and they consistently checked up on me to make sure I was doing okay. What stood out most was how much they truly had my best interests at heart at every stage of the case. They were also very flexible and understanding whenever challenges arose, which made such a difference during difficult times.

My family, friends, and colleagues who interacted with Ben, Jessica, and Summer also appreciated their kindness, patience, and professionalism. Every interaction was handled with care and respect, and it was clear that they genuinely cared about both me and the people supporting me.

After three and a half years, they successfully brought the case to a close with a very good settlement, and I will always be grateful for their dedication, hard work, and unwavering support throughout the process.

There is a lot more I would love to say but this is already lengthy.

I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for solicitors who are not only highly skilled and professional, but also kind, patient, and truly compassionate people.’

CONTACT DETAILS 

Summer can be contacted by email: szw@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249297. 

dean wilson placeholder staff profile

Freya Sethi

Apprentice Solicitor, Commercial Development 

dean wilson placeholder staff profile

Freya Sethi

Apprentice Solicitor, Commercial Development 

Freya assists on a broad range of commercial property matters, including acquisitions and disposals, commercial leases, and property refinancing transactions.

A graduate of the University of East Anglia, Freya is currently working towards qualification as a solicitor through the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).

She supports clients at all stages of commercial property and development transactions and has recently assisted with the disposal of plot sales on a large-scale development site. Freya is committed to providing practical and efficient support to help clients achieve their commercial objectives.

Qualifications

LLB LAW Degree 

Ccontact Details 

Freya Sethi can be contacted by email: FNS@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 032389

 

Rebecca Roberts

Rebecca Roberts

Associate Solicitor, Dispute Resolution

Rebecca Roberts

Rebecca Roberts

Associate Solicitor, Dispute Resolution

Areas of Specialism

Rebecca is a Solicitor in the General Litigation team and specialises in dispute resolution, breach of contract, construction disputes, property litigation - including possession claims and debt recovery and enforcement. 

Recent Client Matters

  • Rebecca successfully obtained a freezing injunction in the high court for her client to prevent the Defendant dissipating their assets ahead of high court action.
  • Rebecca settled a complex high court case reported in the media in respect of a construction dispute – Rebecca achieved a three-figure settlement figure for her client.
  • Rebecca settled a breach of contract dispute concerning bonus payments – this was settled ahead of a multi-track trial and achieved a very favourable financial result for the client.
  • Rebecca has been instructed by and defended high profile clients in the music industry where Rebecca had the claim against them dismissed.

Qualifications, Membership 

  • Solicitor (LLB Hons)

Rebecca can be contacted by email: RR@deanwilson.co.uk or on their direct dial: (0) 1273 249212. 

Neel U

Neel Ummat

Partner & Head of Corporate Department

Neel U

Neel Ummat

Partner & Head of Corporate Department

Areas of Specialism

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. 

Recent Client Matters

  • Neel regularly assists one of the largest property agents in the UK to acquire letting and block management agents across the country.
  • Neel acted for a property developer in raising circa £40 million for a new property development in Hove.

Qualifications, Membership 

  • Solicitor

  • LLB Hons

Neel can be contacted by email: nku@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 249 224. 

Karl

Karl Willmott-Post

Partner & Head of Department, Residential Property Department 

Karl

Karl Willmott-Post

Partner & Head of Department, Residential Property Department 

Areas of Specialism

Karl is the Head of Department of the Residential Property Department and manages the fee earners within the team as well as the paralegals/support staff. 

Karl has worked for Dean Wilson LLP for over 13 years and specialises in all aspects of Residential property transactions. 

Karl has an excellent reputation with estate agents, mortgage brokers, surveyors and the like and is sought after by property developers and local estate agents.  

Karl’s specialist areas are newbuild sales and purchases with or without help to buy involvement, although Karl does deal with residential and buy to let sales, purchases and re-mortgages on a day to day basis and has a wealth of knowledge in this respect. 

Qualifications, Membership 

  • LLB Hons

Karl can be contacted by email: ksp@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 249248. 

Hattie Silverman

Hattie Silverman

Trainee Solicitor, Dispute Resolution

Hattie Silverman

Hattie Silverman

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.

QUALIFICATIONS

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). 

CONTACT DETAILS 

Hattie can be contacted by email: HBS@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 032312

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