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Who We Are

Get to know us

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.

lucy connolly dean wilson

Lucy Connolly

Conveyancing Executive, Residential Property Department 

lucy connolly dean wilson

Lucy Connolly

Conveyancing Executive, Residential Property Department 

Areas of Specialism

Lucy has worked for Dean Wilson LLP for over 7years and specialises in all aspects of Residential property transactions. 

Lucy’s specialist areas are residential sales, purchases and re-mortgages as well as transfers of equity’s. 

Lucy can be contacted by email: lac@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249272. 

Lucy is assisted by Jacob Pratley, Paralegal within the Property Department. Jacob’s contact details are: Email: jap@deanwilson.co.uk Direct Dial: 01273 032336.  

jessica edwards

Jessica Edwards

Solicitor, Personal Injury & Medical Negligence

jessica edwards

Jessica Edwards

Solicitor, Personal Injury & Medical Negligence

Areas of Specialism

I am a Solicitor specialising in personal injury and medical negligence claims. I qualified as a Solicitor in March 2022, having previously spent 4 years working with the team assisting on high value catastrophic injury cases involving brain and spinal cord injury.

I only act for the injured party (Claimants). My specialism is working with people who suffer serious injuries, which may have been caused by:

  • Road traffic accidents including Cars, Bicycles and Pedestrians
  • Accidents at work
  • Accidents on public property/highways
  • Medical Negligence/Injury

Recent Client Matters

I have previously reached settlement for my clients who have suffered a range of injuries including fractures, soft tissue injuries and PTSD. Following an accident, a client’s day to day life is affected. My role is to secure compensation for client’s whose ability to work and earn has been impacted and to help them meet future treatment needs on a private basis to assist their recovery.

I am currently assisting my colleague, Ben Davey, with the David Fuller inquiry and compensation scheme, and we act for many the affected family members.

  • Personal Injury
  • Medical Negligence 
  • Inquests

Qualifications, Membership 

  • Solicitor (LLB Hons)
  • Member of Association of Personal Injury Lawyers
  • Major Trauma Signposting Partnership (Brighton)
ben davey

Ben Davey

Senior Chartered Legal Executive, Personal Injury & Medical Negligence

ben davey

Ben Davey

Senior Chartered Legal Executive, Personal Injury & Medical Negligence

Areas of Specialism

Ben is a Senior Chartered Legal Executive in the Personal Injury & Medical Negligence team. He specialises in complex personal injury and medical negligence claims, acting for the injured party or the families. He specialises in a wide range of life-changing injuries ranging from road traffic accidents, employment claims to severe injury medical negligence claims. Ben is also frequently instructed to represent families at inquest. 

Ben has dealt with a number of profile matters which have been reported in the regional, national, and international media. 

Recent Client Matters

Personal Injury

Medical Negligence

Inquests

Human Rights

Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority

Feedback

Ben works hard to get the best possible results for his clients. He is organised, has good analytical skills and a good eye for detail – Chambers & Partners 2024

 

Thinks outside the box – he sees and acknowledges my struggles – The Legal 500 2023

 

Years of relevant experience and can take cases forward and to successful conclusions with vigour – The Legal 500 2022

 

Truly outstanding professional – he is willing to go the extra mile and you can always rely on him to ensure clients get justice - Chambers and Partners 2022

 

Ben Davey was highly professional, diligent and constructively helpful in his explanations. Ben quickly identified the issues and provided a practical approach to deal with the issues in question and accordingly I have no hesitation in recommending him and his firm – Google review

Qualifications, Membership (& Directory Rankings)

  • Senior Chartered Legal Executive (FCilex)
  • Member of Association of Personal Injury Lawyers
  • Headway Panel Solicitor
  • Major Trauma Signposting Partnership (Brighton)

Davey, Ben

poppy spencer dean wilson

Poppy Spencer

Paralegal, Court of Protection

poppy spencer dean wilson

Poppy Spencer

Paralegal, Court of Protection

Areas of Specialism

Poppy is a Paralegal in the Court of Protection team. Poppy spent two and a half years in the Commercial Property Department and recently moved to Cout of Protection to apply her caring and conscientious approach to:

  • Deputyships for Property & Financial Affairs 
  • Liaison with the Court of Protection
  • Providing collaborative support to Litigation Solicitors 
  • The management of client’s property and assets 

Recent Client Matters

  • Poppy works alongside the deputy for an elderly gentleman with Dementia. Poppy has arranged for his property to be maintained, equipment to be installed, and for social activities to be re-introduced into his life. 
  • Poppy works collaboratively with litigation solicitors, architects, surveyors, and the client’s parents to purchase and renovate a ‘forever home’ which was adapted for the young client to meet his complex needs both now and long into his future. 
  • Poppy provided collaborative support and information sharing to litigation solicitors to evidence the expenditure and losses experienced by a client for his multi-million-pound settlement.

Qualifications, Membership 

  • Member of the Professional Deputies Forum
  • Dementia Friend 
Claire Whiteman Dean Wilson

Claire Whiteman

Partner, Dispute Resolution

Claire Whiteman Dean Wilson

Claire Whiteman

Partner, Dispute Resolution

Areas of Specialism

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.

Qualifications, Membership 

  • Solicitor
  • Member of the Property Litigation Association
  • Member of ALEP
  • Chambers & Partner recommended solicitor 2024 (ranked for 9 years) 

Claire can be contacted by email: clw@deanwilson.co.uk 

Whiteman, Claire

james chadburn dean wilson

James Chadburn

Managing Partner & Head of Corporate 

james chadburn dean wilson

James Chadburn

Managing Partner & Head of Corporate 

Areas of Specialism

James is a highly experienced solicitor and heads up the firm’s Corporate team and is Managing Partner of Dean Wilson LLP.  

James specialises in a wide range of corporate transactions with a particular specialism in the estate agency, residential lettings and block management sectors.  

James is known for his practical approach and dedication to delivering transactions within client expectations.  James’ client base ranges from national corporate household names, to regional players and owner managers.

Recent Client Matters

  • Advised on a £35m acquisition of an estate agency group
  • Advised on a £15m acquisition of an estate agency group
  • Advised on the restructuring and investment into digitally based health platform

Qualifications, Membership 

  • Solicitor 
  • LLB Hons

James can be contacted by email: jc@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 249267. 

Leon Mumford Dean Wilson

Leon Mumford

Associate Solicitor, Residential Property Department

Leon Mumford Dean Wilson

Leon Mumford

Associate Solicitor, Residential Property Department

Areas of Specialism

Leon joined Dean Wilson LLP in January 2022, having worked in Uckfield for approximately 7 years prior. Leon specialises in all aspects of Residential property transactions. 

Leon’s specialist areas are residential and buy to let sales, purchases, re-mortgages and transfers of equity’s. Leon does also have experience in dealing with commercial property transactions to include the sale and purchase of businesses, although has predominantly practiced within residential conveyancing areas of law. 

Leon also provides Independent Legal Advice on Guarantees and Indemnities, where required. 

Qualifications, Membership 

  • Solicitor
  • LLB Hons

Leon can be contacted by email: lpm@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 032338.

Leon is assisted by Danielle Bean, Paralegal within the Property Department. Danielle’s contact details are: Email: djb@deanwilson.co.uk Direct Dial: 01273 249208.  

Clare Waller Dean Wilson

Clare Waller

Partner, Employment Law

Clare Waller Dean Wilson

Clare Waller

Partner, Employment Law

Experience

Clare works with employers of all sizes and across all industries as well as senior executives and other individuals, advising on both contentious and non contentious aspects of employment law. This ranges from the provision of ongoing advice on disciplinary and grievance procedures, performance management processes and statutory rights to drafting contracts of employment, service agreements and staff handbooks to representing clients before the Employment Tribunal or civil courts in cases of unfair dismissal, breach of contract, claims to enforce post termination restrictive covenants and breaches of confidentiality. Clare has experience of representing clients in complex discrimination claims at first instance and in the appeal courts.

Clare designs and delivers client training on any aspect of employment law as well as undertaking regular public speaking engagements.

Recent Notable Cases

Clare recently acted for an employer and two individual Respondents in a multi million pound discrimination claim. She also successfully defended a client against a claim of race discrimination arising of out allegedly discriminatory Photoshopped images being circulated within the workplace.

She is currently advising on the design and implementation of redundancy consultation processes, including where collective consultation obligations have been engaged. 

Clare also works closely with the Dean Wilson Company and Commercial team providing employment law support to its successful mergers and acquisitions function. 

Background

Clare read Law at the University of Reading and achieved distinction in the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law, Guildford. She trained at HRJ Law in Hitchin and qualified in 1999. She obtained a Masters degree in Employment Law from the University of East Anglia in 2006. She became a Partner at HRJ in 2002, joined Hewitsons in Cambridge and Northampton in 2010 and then joined Dean Wilson to head up its employment law team in October 2019.

Areas of Specialism

Unfair dismissal, discrimination, breach of contract, post termination restrictions, contracts of employment, company handbooks, disciplinary and grievance procedures.

dean wilson placeholder staff profile

Natasha Gunn

Paralegal, Personal Injury & Medical Negligence

dean wilson placeholder staff profile

Natasha Gunn

Paralegal, Personal Injury & Medical Negligence

Areas of Specialism

Natasha is a Paralegal in the Personal Injury and Medical Negligence team, and assists Ben Davey and Jessica Edwards with a variety of cases involving:

  • Severe orthopaedic injury
  • Brain injury
  • Amputation
  • Inquests
  • Psychiatric injury

Recent Client Matters

  • Natasha is assisting in the Article 8 (private & family life) group action claim for more than 120 family members of David Fuller’s mortuary victims.
  • Natasha has recently assisted on the settlement of a case involving a pedestrian who was struck by a car resulting in orthopaedic, dental and brain injuries. 

Qualifications, Membership

  • LLB (Hons)
  • LLM Law – International Human Rights Law
  • Currently studying towards the SQE (Solicitor Qualifying Exam)
Fatima Y Hussain Dean Wilson

Fatima Y Hussain

Paralegal, Residential Property Department

Fatima Y Hussain Dean Wilson

Fatima Y Hussain

Paralegal, Residential Property Department

Fatima is a paralegal in the Dean Wilson Residential Conveyancing Department. Fatima assists our Partner, Siobhan Cox with all of her Residential Conveyancing and Commercial Property matters.

Fatima is responsible for taking on delegated task, responding to new enquires and carrying out all required administrative duties.

Before joining Dean Wilson Fatima worked for HMCTS. Her primary role was as Clerk to the Circuit and District Judges. 

Fatima has a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Sussex and hopes to be completing a Master’s degree in the near future. Away from work and studies, Fatima enjoys traveling and badminton.

Qualifications

  • LLB Hons – University of Sussex

Fatima can be contacted by email: FYH@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249209

james fletcher dean wilson

James Fletcher

Associate Solicitor, Residential Property Department 

james fletcher dean wilson

James Fletcher

Associate Solicitor, Residential Property Department 

Areas of Specialism

James joined Dean Wilson LLP in February 2022, having worked in the Eastbourne area for approximately 10 years prior. James specialises in all aspects of Residential property transactions. 

James’ specialist areas are newbuild sales and purchases with or without help to buy involvement, as well as residential and buy to let sales, purchases, re-mortgages and transfers of equity’s. 

James also provides Independent Legal Advice on Guarantees and Indemnities, where required. 

Qualifications, Membership 

  • Solicitor
  • LLB Hons

James can be contacted by email: jf@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 032341

James is assisted by Charlotte Hazeldine, Paralegal within the Property Department. Charlotte’s contact details are: Email: cbh@deanwilson.co.uk Direct Dial: 01273 032330. 

georgia kennard dean wilson

Georgia Kennard

Paralegal, Court of Protection

georgia kennard dean wilson

Georgia Kennard

Paralegal, Court of Protection

Areas of Specialism

Georgia is a Paralegal in the Court of Protection team. Georgia has been overseeing the administration in the team for four years and provides caring, comprehensive support to clients including:

  • The management of client’s property and assets 
  • Liaison with the Court of Protection
  • Liaison with Cost Draftsman and SCCO
  • Administrative support to whole team

Recent Client Matters

  • Georgia has facilitated the support of a client with complex substance abuse issues. Georgia has provided consistent, reassuring support to the client and has overseen the input of a new multi-disciplinary team purpose built to support the client in their recovery. 
  • Georgia works alongside the deputy for an elderly gentleman with Dementia. Georgia has arranged for his property to be maintained, equipment to be installed, and for social activities to be re-introduced into his life. 
  • Georgia has provided thorough support for a vulnerable adult who is transitioning from a Care facility into private accommodation. Georgia has worked with the professionals involved to ensure that the private accommodation is prepared and suitable for the move. 

Qualifications, Membership 

  • Member of the Professional Deputyship Forum
  • Dementia Friend
siobhan cox dean wilson

Siobhan Cox

Partner & Head of Department, Property Department 

siobhan cox dean wilson

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. 

sophie auckland dean wilson

Sophie Auckland

Associate, Deputy, Professional Trustee & Head of Department, Court of Protection

sophie auckland dean wilson

Sophie Auckland

Associate, Deputy, Professional Trustee & Head of Department, Court of Protection

Areas of Specialism

Sophie is the Head of the Court of Protection team specialises in professional deputyships for acquired brain injury and elderly clients, with over 10 years’ experience handling complex Court of Protection cases. Sophie is also a Professional Trustee. Sophie regular advises on:

  • Professional Deputy for elderly and vulnerable clients. 
  • Lay Deputyships for Property & Financial Affairs and Health & Welfare matters. 
  • The management of client’s property and assets 
  • Lasting Power of Attorneys

Recent Client Matters

  • Sophie has been appointed as a Professional Deputy for an elderly gentleman with dementia following a referral from Social Services. Sophie’s appointment has protected the gentleman’s assets from fraud, to which he was previously a victim of, and has ensured security for his future. Sophie has aided an increase to his care, equipment and allowed access to funds for social activities, greatly improving his quality of life. 
  • Sophie has offered expert guidance to parents who wished to be lay deputies for their child. Sophie drafted complex applications for both Health & Welfare and Property & Financial Affairs and secured the required Court Orders to allow the parents to best support their child. 
  • Sophie was appointed as a Professional Deputy for a young man as his previous Deputy was retiring. Sophie has utilised her warm and compassionate nature to build a strong trusting relationship with the young man to provide assurance that his finances will continue to be managed in his best interests.

Qualifications, Membership 

  • Ranked in Chambers since 2020
  • Dementia Friend
  • QEF Legal Clinic Advisor
  • Member of the Professional Deputyship Forum

Auckland, Sophie

katiee griffiths dean wilson

Katiee Griffiths

Paralegal, Property Disputes and Landlord and Tenant

katiee griffiths dean wilson

Katiee Griffiths

Paralegal, Property Disputes and Landlord and Tenant

Areas of Specialism

Katiee is a paralegal in the Dispute Resolution team assisting on a variety of major and routine legal matters within the department. Katiee manages her own cases and prides herself on getting the best outcome for our clients. Katiee is experienced in rent mediation and section 21 and section 8 claims. 

Katiee also leads the Welsh matters within the team giving her experience in both English and Welsh claims.

Recent Client Matters

  • Supporting landlords who have not received rent payments from tenants for an extensive period of time. Drafting notices and proceedings to obtain rent arrears, possession orders and costs in the case.
  • Advocating for a client who wishes to obtain their property back from a tenant who refuses to move out after the fixed term has ended.
  • Working closely with a wide range of letting agents to assist landlords and tenants with property disputes.
  • Drafting letters before action and filing claim forms to help clients get the best outcomes.

Qualifications, Membership 

  • Bachelor of Law (LLB Hons)
  • LLM Master of Law Degree
  • Currently undergoing her LPC (Legal Practice Course)
Karl Post Dean Wilson

Karl Willmott-Post

Partner & Head of Department, Residential Property Department 

Karl Post Dean Wilson

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. 

Karl is assisted by Lauren Gillman, Paralegal within the Property Department. Lauren’s contact details are: Email: lg@deanwilson.co.uk Direct Dial: 01273 032321. 

jasmine cattigan dean wilson

Jasmine Cattigan

Trainee Solicitor, Dispute Resolution

jasmine cattigan dean wilson

Jasmine Cattigan

Trainee Solicitor, Dispute Resolution

Areas of Specialism

Jasmine is currently in her first seat of her training contract working within the Dispute Resolution department alongside Claire Whiteman. Jasmine assists on a variety of property litigation matters including:

  • Forfeiture under commercial leases
  • Recovery of service charge and ground rent arrears
  • Commercial debt recovery
  • Disrepair issues
  • Property related Professional Negligence 
  • Property disputes involving issues of Trust law and Fraud

Prior to starting her training contract, Jasmine had previously paralegalled in the Dispute Resolution department specialising in residential re-possession claims in which she acted for Letting agents as well as private landlords on a national scale. Jasmine routinely advised on s8 and s21 proceedings, disrepair claims and debt recovery/ enforcement matters. 

Jasmine has also had extensive experience in the firm’s Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence department where she assisted the Head of Department, Alex Brown, with claimants who had suffered Personal Injuries, Criminal Injuries & Medical Negligence resulting in:

  • Brain Injuries
  • Spinal Cord injuries
  • Birth Injuries
  • Amputations
  • Severe Orthopaedic Injuries

Jasmine also had conduct of her own cases, securing settlements for client’s who have suffered injuries arising from the following circumstances:

  • Road traffic accidents
  • Accidents at work
  • Falls in public places
  • Clinical negligence 
  • Criminal Injuries 

Jasmine is known for her commitment to her clients and ability to quickly understand key issues in resolving disputes. She is able to work collaboratively with clients to help them achieve the best outcome for their case.

Recent Client Matters

Qualifications, Membership 

  • LLB Hons Law
  • LPC with LLM 

Jasmine can be contacted by email: jlc@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249246.

erin boland dean wilson

Erin Boland

Paralegal, Corporate Department

erin boland dean wilson

Erin Boland

Paralegal, Corporate Department

Areas of Specialism

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.  

Recent Client Matters

  • Regularly assists one of the largest property agents in the UK to acquire letting and block management agents across the country.
  • Assisting buyers in purchasing a hospitality business in Brighton; 
  • Assisting sellers and buyers of estate agency businesses; 

Qualifications, Membership 

  • LLB Hons

Erin can be contacted by email: egb@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249227.  

Faye Cann Dean Wilson

Faye Cann

Paralegal, Dispute Resolution

Faye Cann Dean Wilson

Faye Cann

Paralegal, Dispute Resolution

Areas of Specialism

Faye is a paralegal specialising in Lease extensions and enfranchisements. Faye deals with matters such as Deeds of Covenant, Licences to Assign and Notices of Transfer and works closely with Claire Whiteman and Lisa Osborne.

Qualifications, Membership & Directory Rankings

  • Faye is currently studying with CILEX alongside her work
Melissa Birkhead

Melissa Birkhead

Paralegal, Dispute Resolution

Melissa Birkhead

Melissa Birkhead

Paralegal, Dispute Resolution

Areas of Specialism

Melissa works in our Dispute Resolution team, assisting on a variety of contentious cases with a focus on residential property litigation. Specialising in possession claims, she operates her own case load and prides herself on creating longstanding relationships with her clients. Melissa is also experienced in assisting clients with matters such as breach of contract, contractor disputes, and common money claims.

Day to day activities include drafting notices, letters before action, and filing claim forms. Melissa also advocates for clients at possession hearings in local Sussex courts.

Recent Client Matters

Regularly working with a nationwide letting agent to aid landlords and tenants with property disputes.

Advocating for a client who hadn’t received rent payments for a significant period, leading to a possession order, rent arrears, and costs in the case being awarded.

Drafting a letter before claim for a leaseholder whose daughter with a disability had been refused permission for an emotional support dog to live in the property, resulting in the freeholder granting permission. 

Qualifications

LLB Hons

Melissa can be contacted by email: mrb@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 032340.

chloe whitehead dean wilson

Chloe Whitehead

Paralegal, Residential Property Department

chloe whitehead dean wilson

Chloe Whitehead

Paralegal, Residential Property Department

Areas of Specialism

Chloe has worked for Dean Wilson LLP for 6 years, 4 of the years in Residential Conveyancing. She helps with all the administrative tasks in the team and strives to help assist clients and other parties wherever possible.

Chloe has assisted Annie Fitzpatrick and the team with transactions such as sales, purchases, Transfers and re-mortgages making sure all of the administrative tasks are up to date. 

Chloe can be contacted by email: cdw@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249245.

Chloe is the assistant to Annie Fitzpatrick who is an Associate within the Residential Conveyancing team.  

dean wilson placeholder staff profile

Carianne Coakley

dean wilson placeholder staff profile

Carianne Coakley

Carri specialises in Client Services, having worked in customer services for over 30 years, 20 of those years in the Law sector.

Her enthusiasm and passion for great service leads the way in everything she does, taking others with her and smoothing processes that affect our clients.

Carri is a great mentor, ensuring that Clients are at our forefront, while seeking out efficiencies and best practice.

Currently, she is completing an Apprenticeship in Operations Management Level 5 to further her knowledge in this area.

Carri is known for her energy and positive outlook and has 13-year twins to keep her on her toes, with a supportive husband. She enjoys walking her dog by the local river with friends & has recently joined a Book Club.

Michaela Tutt Dean Wilson

Michaela Tutt

Senior Paralegal, Dispute Resolution

Michaela Tutt Dean Wilson

Michaela Tutt

Senior Paralegal, Dispute Resolution

Areas of Specialism

Michaela is a Senior Paralegal in the Dispute Resolution team who specialises in Landlord and Tenant disputes.

Michaela graduated from the University of the West of England in 2014 and has nearly 10 years’ experience in the legal industry. Michaela joined Dean Wilson in January 2024 and has built her background in general litigation, including property litigation, personal injury, debt recovery and clinical negligence matters.

Qualifications

  • LLB Hons (2.1) 

Michaela can be contacted by email: MCT@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249250. 

david hodge dean wilson

David Hodge

Partner & Head of Real Estate Commercial Development 

david hodge dean wilson

David Hodge

Partner & Head of Real Estate Commercial Development 

Areas of Specialism

David has a wealth of experience and heads up the firm’s Commercial Development Team.  David has 40 years of experience in the property sector acting largely for developers, investors, dealer’s and high net worth individuals along with their family offices.

David specialises in a wide range of commercial real estate transactions and heads up a team specialising in Options, Promotion Agreements, Conditional Contracts, Infrastructure Agreements, Planning Agreements and Investments Properties as well as looking after some substantial and diverse property and land portfolio’s which his clients have built up over the years – many of Davids clients have been with him for 25 years or more.  

David works closely with the team which comprises Sinead Dye (Associate Solicitor), Amy Edwards (Solicitor), Isabelle Svendsen (Paralegal), Samanda Mazreku (Legal Assistant) and Beverely McLoughlin (Assistant).  The team always look for solutions and take a flexible and pragmatic approach – the team are proactive, not reactive and the culture is “how” can we make this deal happen when obstacles are presented. The Team are experienced in acquiring land (often site assembling) and taking the development through to the sale of individual units and we deal with developments comprising single units to in excess of 150 units.  The team are also experienced in land trades and are not fazed in dealing with sites with a GDV in excess of £100m  

David can be contacted by email: dh@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 249 249

sinead dye dean wilson

Sinead Dye

Associate Solicitor, Commercial Property & Real Estate Department

sinead dye dean wilson

Sinead Dye

Associate Solicitor, Commercial Property & Real Estate Department

Areas of Specialism

Sinead is an associate solicitor with over 5 years of experience in the Real Estate team. Sinead has experience in all aspects of commercial property with a focus on land development and the strategic land sector.

Sinead acts for both regional developers and landowners on a wide range of transactions including major land acquisition, land promotion, residential new build estate set ups and plot sales. Sinead’s wide scope of work has given her the experience and expertise to provide a comprehensive service and advise longstanding clients on multiple transactions to assist their ongoing business needs.

Sinead is proactive in her approach and works closely with her clients to achieve their goals in a timely manner.

Sinead works closely with the team which comprises David Hodge (Partner), Amy Edwards (Solicitor), Isabelle Svendsen (Paralegal), Samanda Mazreku (Legal Assistant) and Beverley McLoughlin (Assistant).  The team always look for solutions and take a flexible and pragmatic approach – the team are proactive, not reactive and the culture is “how” can we make this deal happen when obstacles are presented. The team are experienced in acquiring land (often site assembling) and taking the development through to the sale of individual units and we deal with developments comprising single units to in excess of 150 units. The team are also experienced in land trades and are not fazed in dealing with sites with a GDV in excess of £100m .

Recent Client Matters

  • Dealt with the estate set up for a residential development of 93 new dwellings;
  • Acting on a site acquisition for £7m; 
  • Involved in an ongoing refinance of a commercial portfolio worth over £32m.

Qualifications, Membership 

  • Solicitor 
  • LLB Hons
     

Sinead can be contacted by email: sjd@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249270. 

David’s email is dh@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 249 249. 

Amy’s email is ae@deanwilson.co.uk and her direct dial is  01273 249 268.

Isabelle’s email is ixs@deanwilson.co.uk and her direct dial is 01273 249259.

Samanda’s email is szm@deanwilson.co.uk and her direct dial is 01273 249 263.

Bev’s email is bm@deanwilson.co.uk and her direct dial is 01273 249 242.

Nicholas Perkins Dean Wilson

Nicholas Perkins

Partner, Dispute Resolution

Nicholas Perkins Dean Wilson

Nicholas Perkins

Partner, Dispute Resolution

Areas of Specialism

Nicholas is a Partner in our Dispute Resolution team.

Having been admitted as a solicitor in 1982 he has  a wealth of experience and there are few areas of Litigation and Dispute Resolution with which he has not been involved over his long career with the firm be it general contract or building disputes lease renewals equine law or even Admiralty matters 

He has in particular always specialised in Landlord and tenant matters – both residential and commercial – and has a substantial practice advising and acting for letting and managing agents  and their landlord clients locally, and both  in London and throughout the Country 

He is also an acknowledged expert in Liquor Licensing matters for Pubs clubs and restaurants and regularly appears before Licensing committees both locally and  further afield  promoting his client’s applications 

Underpinning all his dealings for his clients is a determination to be efficient and most importantly, cost effective.

Recent Client Matters

  • Acting for a well-known and respected agent in a multi-party dispute and achieving settlement
  • Obtaining  a complicated Premises License for the social areas of a multimillion pound residential development 
  • Successfully defending a Review application brought by the Police seeking to revoke a large Public House’s Premises license.
  • Advising a national chain of letting and estate agents on a review of their legal procedures and documentation

Qualifications

  • Solicitor
  • LLB Hons
Kalia Shellard Dean Wilson

Kalia Shellard

Paralegal, Dispute Resolution

Kalia Shellard Dean Wilson

Kalia Shellard

Paralegal, Dispute Resolution

Areas of Specialism

Kalia is a Paralegal within the Dispute Resolution team specialising in Landlord and Tenant Disputes. 

Kalia is a highly motivated individual who has experience managing her own caseload and always strives to achieve the best outcome for her clients. 

Qualifications, Membership & Directory Rankings

  • LLB Hons
tom saady gardiner dean wilson

Tom Saady Gardiner

Paralegal, Personal Injury & Medical Negligence

tom saady gardiner dean wilson

Tom Saady Gardiner

Paralegal, Personal Injury & Medical Negligence

Areas of Specialism

Tom is a Paralegal in the Personal Injury and Medical Negligence team, assisting Ben Davey and Jessica Edwards with a variety of cases ranging from minor to severe. Tom has assisted on the successful settlement of a number of cases involving severe orthopaedic and psychiatric injuries.

Recent Client Matters

  • Tom assisted in securing a successful settlement for two secondary victim claims, where the Claimants were witnessed to the aftermath of a close family member sustaining severe orthopaedic injuries arising out of a road traffic collision.
  • Tom is assisting in the ongoing Article 3 (torture & degrading treatment) & Article 8 (private & family life) group action claim for more than 120 family members of David Fuller’s mortuary victims.
Hermionie Potter

Hermione Porter

Solicitor, Employment Team

Hermionie Potter

Hermione Porter

Solicitor, Employment Team

Areas of Specialism

After undertaking a varied training contract with the firm, Hermione qualified into the Employment department in September 2023. Before qualification Hermione spent her final seat in the Employment team where she gained experience advising both employers and employees on a variety of matters.

Hermione provides continuing support to employers on a range of areas of employment law. She has previously worked with clients advising on matters such as maternity leave arrangements, Working Time Regulations and redundancy procedures. Hermione is also involved with litigious matters recently assisting an employer defending a race discrimination claim brought in the Employment Tribunal. 

Hermione has experience with undertaking a range of drafting tasks. She can assist with preparing, reviewing and updating contracts of employment, staff handbooks, consultancy agreements and disciplinary procedures. 

Hermione also provides advice to individuals and has previously advised employees on matters such as unfair dismissal and disability discrimination. Hermione also has experience with advising on settlement agreements.

Background

Hermione started with Dean Wilson as a paralegal in 2021. She read Law at the University of Sussex and completed her LPC at the University of Law, Guildford. During her time studying she also participated in schemes providing pro-bono legal advice. 

As well as employment matters, Hermione also has a keen interest in GDPR related queries and provides advice on employers obligations under the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR. 

Julian Potter

Julian Potter

Solicitor, Private Client

Julian Potter

Julian Potter

Solicitor, Private Client

Areas of Specialism

Julian has over 20 years’ experience as a solicitor dealing with all aspects of Private Client work including Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Administration of Estates and Estate Planning.

Julian can advise on a variety of Wills to suit differing circumstances including advising on various types of trusts for efficient tax planning and asset protection.

Julian deals with a variety of estates of all values including intestacies and estates with business interests and can provide a service tailored to your needs whether it be obtaining the Grant of Probate or dealing with the administration of the entirety of the estate.

Julian can advise on Estate Planning matters including Inheritance Tax saving, the Inheritance Tax Nil Rate Band, the Residence Nil Rate Band and preservation of the same as well as providing Capital Gains Tax advice.

Julian always aims to forge a close relationship with his clients in trying to provide the best service and advice for them.

becca porter dean wilson

Becca Porter

Senior Legal Assistant / Paralegal, Personal Injury & Medical Negligence

becca porter dean wilson

Becca Porter

Senior Legal Assistant / Paralegal, Personal Injury & Medical Negligence

Areas of Specialism

Becca supports Alex Brown and the Personal Injury and Medical Negligence Team in cases involving severe and life changing injuries to claimants who have suffered personal injuries, criminal injuries & medical negligence resulting in:

  • Brain Injury
  • Spinal Cord Injury
  • Birth Injury
  • Amputations
  • Severe Orthopaedic Injuries

Recent Client Matters

Qualifications, Membership 

  • BA (Hons)
francesca lyons dean wilson

Francesca Lyons

Solicitor, Commercial Property & Real Estate Department

francesca lyons dean wilson

Francesca Lyons

Solicitor, Commercial Property & Real Estate Department

Areas of Specialism

Francesca joined Dean Wilson in July 2022 as a solicitor in the commercial property team.

Francesca deals with a broad range of commercial property work ranging from sales and purchases, landlord and tenant matters, secured lending and due diligence title investigations in corporate transactions.

Francesca advises on all aspects of the landlord and tenant relationship and has experience acting for clients from private landowners, limited companies, charities and pension companies.

Qualifications

  • Solicitor 
  • BA Hons

Francesca can be contacted by email: fl@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 032345.