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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.

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

 

CW

Clayton Weir

Paralegal, Dispute Resolution 

CW

Clayton Weir

Paralegal, Dispute Resolution 

Areas of Specialism

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. 

Qualifications

  • University of Leeds (LLB Hons)
Josh

Joshua Baxendale

Senior Associate Solicitor, Corporate Department

Josh

Joshua Baxendale

Senior Associate Solicitor, Corporate Department

Areas of Specialism

Joshua works in the Commercial & Corporate team at Dean Wilson. He works in mergers & acquisitions and acts on both sides of the transactions. Many of these transactions are in the estate agency sector. He has a wide range of commercial experience, having worked for many recruitment companies in litigation matters. 

Joshua focusses on his client’s intentions and makes those work to ensure that transactions are a client led and not lawyer led process. 

Joshua has acted in cases involving cross-border jurisdictional issues involving many companies in the EU and further afield.

Joshua grew up in Brighton and Hove, and then studied at UEA and the College of Law in Guildford.

Joshua enjoys riding his bike slowly up hills, a dry riesling, and small cups of strong coffee and speaking conversational French.

Qualifications

  • Solicitor
  • LLB Hons

Recent Transactions

  • Large regional estate agent selling to a nationwide corporate acquirer;
  • Acting for the Buyer of a hospitality business in Brighton;
  • Acting for acquirers moving into new geographic areas and
  • Acting for an estate agent in taking over a local competitor on their retirement.

Joshua can be contacted by email: jjb@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: (0) 1273 032337. 

Joshua is assisted by Natalia Revesz, Senior Paralegal within the Corporate & Commercial Team. Natalia’s contact details are: Email: nxr@deanwilson.co.uk Direct Dial: 01273 032334.

Laily Taibzadah

Laily Taibzadah

Paralegal, Residential Conveyancing 

Laily Taibzadah

Laily Taibzadah

Paralegal, Residential Conveyancing 

Laily graduated from Sussex University in 2024 after completing her Law with a business and management degree. While at university, Laily took part in the legal clinic providing legal advice and guidance to clients on immigration matters. 

In Laily's role as a paralegal in Residential Conveyancing, she assists fee-earners and Solicitors with all aspects of a sale, purchase, re-mortgage, transfer of equity and general administrative duties.

Laily's future plans are to take the SQE 1 & 2 LLM to become a solicitor. In Laily's spare time, she enjoys travelling and taking long walks. 

Qualifications

  • Law with business and management LLB (Hons) at Sussex University 2024.

Laily can be contacted by email: LT@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 032364

Michaela

Michaela Tutt

Senior Paralegal, Dispute Resolution

Michaela

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. 

Aibhlinn

Aibhlinn Carroll

Solicitor Apprentice, Personal Injury & Medical Negligence

Aibhlinn

Aibhlinn Carroll

Solicitor Apprentice, Personal Injury & Medical Negligence

Aibhlinn is a Solicitor Apprentice within our Personal Injury & Medical Negligence team. She joined the team in December 2025, following a year’s experience as a paralegal within our Corporate Commercial team, where she worked on various aspects of corporate transactions. 

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

  • Catastrophic Injury
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Fatal Accident Claims including Inquests
  • Road Traffic Accidents
  • Accidents at Work
  • Clinical Negligence Claims including birth injuries, delays in diagnosis, and negligent operations

In her role as a solicitor apprentice, Aibhlinn works closely with the solicitors in her team to assist with the progression of claims, maintaining regular communication with clients and ensuring they feel supported, informed, and at ease throughout the legal process.

Recent Client Matters

Qualifications, Membership 

  • Aibhlinn graduated from the University of Oxford in 2024 with a BA in Jurisprudence. 

Aibhlinn can be contacted by email: ALC@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 032335

Melissa R

Melissa Roberts

Partner, Commercial Property

Melissa R

Melissa Roberts

Partner, Commercial Property

Melissa has over 10 years of experience helping clients complete matters efficiently and effectively. 

Melissa acts on a wide range of commercial transactions including;

  • Acquisitions and disposals of commercial property (both freehold and leasehold and whether registered or unregistered);
  • Commercial landlord and tenant work (acting for both landlords and tenants);
  • Secured lending (acting for both lenders and borrowers); and
  • Asset sales and purchases.

Melissa works with a range of clients and is known for her proactive approach to transactions.  Clients value her straight-talking advice, responsiveness and focus on commercial outcomes.

Qualifications

  • Solicitor (LLB Hons)

Melissa can be contacted by email: mrr@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 032375

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

sinead dye dean wilson

Sinead Dye

Senior Associate Solicitor, Commercial Property & Real Estate Department

sinead dye dean wilson

Sinead Dye

Senior 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), 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.

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

samantha brace dean wilson

Samantha Brace

Solicitor, Dispute Resolution

samantha brace dean wilson

Samantha Brace

Solicitor, Dispute Resolution

Samantha has recently qualified as a solicitor in June 2025 within the Dispute Resolution Department. Samantha works closely with Claire Whiteman on Property Litigation, Enfranchisement and General Litigation cases. 

During Samantha's training contract, she undertook the following seats: 

  • First seat was in our Personal Injury & Medical Negligence team, assisting Alex Brown, head of the Personal Injury department with claims in relation to severe and life changing injuries resulting in Brain Injury, Birth Injury, Severe Orthopaedic Injuries and Spinal Cord Injury. 

  • Second seat was in the Private Client department undertaking a range of work including Wills, Probates and Trust work under the supervision of Julian Potter.

  • Third and final seat was in the Dispute Resolution Department working on Property Litigation, Enfranchisement and General Litigation cases.

Samantha previously worked as a Paralegal in the Dispute Resolution team running her own possession claims assisting landlords recover their residential property along with any rent arrears owed and a successful Judgment for their legal costs. 

Samantha worked closely with a well-known local managing agents to help clients achieve the best possible outcome. She also assisted senior members in the team with more general litigation matters. 

Qualifications

  • Solicitor
  • 1st Class LLB Law (Hons)
  • LPC LLM with Distinction in Professional Legal Practice

Samantha can be contacted by email: slb@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249298. 

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. 

Craig Shoosmith

Craig Shoosmith

Compliance Manager

Craig Shoosmith

Craig Shoosmith

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. 

CONTACT DETAILS 

Craig can be contacted by email: cfs@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 249269.

Scott Gair Dean Wilson

Scott Gair

Partner & Head of Commercial Real Estate

Scott Gair Dean Wilson

Scott Gair

Partner & Head of Commercial Real Estate

Areas of Specialism

Scott is a highly experienced solicitor and heads up the firm’s Commercial Real Estate team.  With over 20 years of experience in the legal sector, Scott has established a reputation for providing excellent service, achieving positive outcomes for his clients and prides himself on taking a detailed yet commercial and pragmatic approach to his work.

Scott specialises in a wide range of commercial real estate transactions and the bulk of his day-to-day work involves working with property investors and landlords with considerable portfolios and dealing with the ongoing legal work that this typically involves.  

Scott specialises in licensing too.  Scott used to teach the BIIAB Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH) at City College in Brighton and the Award for Licensing Practitioners (ALP) to Sussex Police and Sussex based Licensing Authorities.  This experience allows Scott to act for a number of clients with licensed premises, advising them on not only the commercial property aspects, but also the licensing elements too.  This places him in a unique position within the industry, specialising in both disciplines.

Scott is known for his dedication to his clients and his ability to provide clear and practical advice.  He takes the time to understand his clients’ needs and works closely with them to achieve their goals.

Recent Client Matters

  • Involved in a large corporate acquisition which included over 55 commercial properties;
  • Multiple eight figure portfolio refinances;
  • Acquisition of a retail portfolio for over £10m;
  • Refinance of commercial and residential portfolio worth over £5m

Qualifications, Membership 

  • Solicitor
  • LLB Hons
  • PTLLS

Scott can be contacted by email: sg@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 249265. 

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. 

Lily Hossani Dean Wilson

Lily Hossini

Associate Solicitor, Dispute Resolution

Lily Hossani Dean Wilson

Lily Hossini

Associate Solicitor, Dispute Resolution

Areas of Specialism

Lily is an Associate Solicitor in the firm’s Dispute Resolution department, specialising in Landlord and Tenant matters. She assists with leasehold disputes, lease extensions (both statutory and informal), freehold acquisitions (both collective enfranchisement and first right of refusal claims), right to manage claims, licences for alterations and deeds of variation. 

Qualifications, Membership & Directory Rankings

  • Law Degree, LLB Hons
  • Legal Practice Course, LPC
  • Law, Business and Management, MSc

Memberships

Dean Wilson is a member of the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (“ALEP”). ALEP promotes best practice by vetting organisations to ensure a consistently high level of service so that leaseholders and freeholders can contact ALEP members with confidence.

Lily can be contacted by email: LSH@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 032326 

Lily is assisted by Molly Hamilton, Senior Paralegal within the Dispute Resolution department. Molly's contact details are - email: MOH@deanwilson.co.uk and direct dial: 01273 249264.

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

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