Who We Are

Will is an Apprentice Solicitor in our Commercial Property department, having previously been a Paralegal within the department. Will is assisting with all manner of property transactions including acquisitions, disposals, lettings, assignments, refinancing and development work.

Previously, Will spent over a year in our Dispute Resolution Department specialising in Landlord possession claims.  Will was managing up to 60 claims at one time and had a 100% success rate.  Will brings this experience, attention to detail and commercial awareness to the Commercial Real Estate team.

Will enjoys learning new skills, understanding different areas of the law and working within a collaborative team which is highly focused on delivering a top-class service and aiding their client’s to reaching their goal.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Law with Criminology (LLB Hons) from Oxford Brookes University

William can be contacted by email: wgs@deanwilson.co.uk or on direct dial: 01273 032354

Fatima is a Solicitor Apprentice in the Corporate Department having commenced her first 6 months in the Dispute Resolution department, while undergoing her SQE to qualify as a Solicitor. 

Prior to Fatima commencing her Solicitor Apprenticeship, was previously a paralegal within the Residential Conveyancing Department assisting Siobhan Cox on Residential Conveyancing and Commercial Property matters.

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

Lucas is a Paralegal in the Dispute Resolution Department, supporting the team on a wide range of property litigation matters. His work primarily centres on Service Charge disputes, including advising on and assisting with Lease forfeiture claims brought under Sections 146 and 147 of the Law of Property Act 1925. 

QUALIFICATIONS

1st class LLB from the University of Sussex

CONTACT DETAILS 

Lucas can be contacted by email: LWA@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 249273.

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

Katie is a Paralegal in our Court of Protection Team with a focus on supporting clients with acquired brain injury to manage their finances. Assisting client's with anything from paying a dog-walker to buying a house, arranging insurance to applying for benefits. Since joining the team in 2023, Katie has become a reassuring and trusted presence for clients and their wider team, offering consistent support and confidence in all matters. 

Katie has experience with the following:

• Deputyships for Property & Financial Affairs
• Liaison with the Court of Protection and Senior Court Costs Office
• Management of client assets and finances
• Deputyship Applications
• Complex property adaptations

Recent Client Matters

• Katie has worked on building the projects of bespoke homes, specially adapted for adolescent clients with complex physical and domestic needs. These properties represent build costs in excess of £3.6m.
• Katie collaborated with Litigation Solicitors to evidence expenditure and losses in a minor’s multi‑million-pound settlement, while providing ongoing support to the family throughout.

Membership 

• Member of Professional Deputies Forum

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. 

Tara graduated from the University of Sussex in 2023 with a degree in Law and Business Management. Since graduating, she has gained valuable experience as a Paralegal, joining Dean Wilson LLP in 2026 from a regional law firm where she worked within Commercial Property. During this time, Tara has assisted with and managed a wide range of commercial property transactions.

At Dean Wilson LLP, Tara primarily supports Jo Taylor, Partner in Real Estate, Commercial Property and Development, assisting with a broad range of matters and providing valuable support across the team.

Recent Client Matters

• Refinancing of Hospitality Portfolio
• Disposition of multi-let Industrial Unit
• Disposition of new build plots
• Leases and Assignments for both tenants and landlords

Qualifications 

LLB (Hons)

Contact Details  

Tara Dewey can be contacted by email: tid@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249 206

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. 

Areas of Specialism

James has over 20 years’ experience in the legal sector, with a strong focus on mergers and acquisitions, particularly within the estate agency and residential lettings industries. Having started his career at Dean Wilson LLP as a paralegal, James completed his training contract with the firm and qualified as a corporate solicitor. He has remained with the firm ever since and now leads as Managing Partner.

James is passionate about driving positive change, both within Dean Wilson and across the wider legal profession. He is committed to creating a more rewarding and efficient working environment for legal professionals, while ensuring clients continue to receive practical, commercially focused advice.

His leadership is underpinned by a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing modern law firms, and he brings a forward-thinking approach to both client service and internal culture.

James also serves as the firm’s COLP and MLRO.

Key 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. 

Samantha advises individuals and families on a wide range of Private Client matters, offering clear, practical guidance tailored to each client’s circumstances. She combines technical knowledge with an approachable and supportive manner, helping clients make informed decisions about their personal affairs, future planning and the administration of estates.

• Practical, tailored advice on Wills to reflect clients’ wishes and family circumstances.
• Advice on trusts and tax planning.
• Guidance on asset protection.
• Long-term succession planning for individuals and families.
• Estate administration support for estates of varying sizes and complexity, including intestacies.
• Assistance with obtaining a Grant of Probate.
• Estate planning advice, including Inheritance Tax mitigation.
• Advice on the Nil Rate Band and Residence Nil Rate Band.
• Guidance on preserving available reliefs where appropriate.
• Lasting Powers of Attorney, including helping donors and attorneys understand the scope, responsibilities and practical limits of their role.
• Assisting clients with matters that have cross-border elements.
• Helping families understand care funding and the provisions surrounding it.

Sam’s aim is to make often complex and sensitive matters feel more manageable for her clients. This is an area of law that affects every single one of us: we are all someone’s child, and many of us are someone’s sibling, friend, confidant, parent or relative. Any one of us can find ourselves needing assistance with these matters, often at important or difficult points in life, and Sam believes it is essential that the information and advice provided is clear, accessible and easy for clients to understand.

Qualifications

 LLB (Hons)

Solicitor

Contact Details 

Samantha can be contacted by email: sxb@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 032320.

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. 

Areas of Specialism

Fleur has three years experience as a Paralegal specialising in Private Client law, bringing a rich and varied background to her legal practice. Fleur draws on experience gained at her previous firm, alongside a strong foundation in healthcare and communications—having previously worked as a healthcare practitioner and as a medical journalist reporting on institutions such as the Royal College of Nursing and The Royal Marsden.

In addition to her legal and medical experience, Fleur has taught English across a range of levels, including to non-native speakers, GCSE, and A-Level students. This diverse skill set enables her to communicate complex legal concepts in a clear, accessible way particularly valuable when supporting lay clients navigating probate law.

Fleur is especially committed to guiding bereaved families through the probate process with sensitivity and clarity. She also provides crucial support on matters involving mental capacity and the safeguarding of estates, advocating with empathy and precision on behalf of her clients.

Qualifications

• 1:1 BA Joint Hons in English Literature & Creative Writing - Royal Holloway University of London
• CertTESOL English teaching qualification - Trinity College London

Fleur can be contacted by email FRJ@deanwilson.co.uk; or on her direct dial:  01273 249214

Beth has worked for Dean Wilson LLP for over 8 years and assists with plot sales, often off-plan.

Beth works closely with the team which comprises David Hodge (Partner) Sinead Dye (Associate Solicitor), Amy Edwards (Solicitor), Isabelle Svensden (Paralegal) and Beverley McLoughlin (Assistant).  The team always look for solutions and takes 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.  

Beth can be contacted by email: bxa@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249263

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. 

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

• Acting for a protected party with brain and spinal cord injuries. Claim settled for £5.6 million.
• Securing a £2million pound settlement for a man left brain damaged after a road traffic accident. The Defendant initially offered just £40,000 alleging that the Claimant was exaggerating his injuries.
• Achieving a settlement of £1.81 million for a Claimant following a road traffic accident, despite the driver having be acquitted in the criminal proceedings.
• Settling a case for £1.3million on behalf of the family of a man killed by a hit and run driver.
• A substantial confidential sum for a Claimant who suffered a traumatic brain injury following a road traffic accident.
• Acting for Keith Tarry in a high profile claim against easyJet.
• £450,000 for a protected party who suffered a brain injury after his a chair he was sitting on collapsed.
• Settling a ‘secondary victim’ case two weeks before trial. Liability was denied on the basis that the Claimant had no right in law to damages but despite this, a favourable settlement was achieved.
• Obtaining £225,000 for a client who seriously injured his back during unsafe lifting practices at work.
• Acting for a client who suffered severe pelvic, wrist and head injuries after a fall from height at work.
• A substantial six figure claim on behalf of three daughters after their mother was killed in a road traffic accident.

Medical Negligence

• Concluding a claim at a settlement meeting before trial for £3.5 million where the Claimant, a young boy, suffered a significant brain injury after a brain abscess was missed by his GP.
• Obtaining a million pound settlement in respect to a failure to treatment an infection after orthopaedic surgery.
• Securing a seven figure sum for a client who had undergone above-knee amputation during hind foot surgery. Liability, causation and quantum all denied.
• A six figure sum plus an apology on behalf of the family of a woman who died in hospital after mismanagement of a stomach ulcer.
• Obtaining a substantial six figure sum for a woman going blind though medical negligence.
• Settling a chronic pain claim in the Claimant’s favour two days into a four-day trial.
• Settlement and an apology on behalf of the family of a woman who died after a delay in diagnosing sepsis.
• Acting on behalf of the estate of a father who died as a result of a delay in diagnosing bowel cancer. The case was defended vigorously throughout but the settlement was achieved before trial.

Inquests

• Jonathan O’Shea – Article 2 Inquest where a man was able to take his own life whilst in a secure unit. Finding of neglect made by the Coroner.
• Isobelle ‘Issy’ Phipps – 17 year old who took her own life. Missed opportunities by GP & mental health services to intervene.
• Archie Jesty – 18 year old who took his own life following mental health failings
• Oscar Riley – a two year old who died after a brain tumour was not identified by medical professionals treating him – pro bono
• Reece Lapina Amarelle – who took his own life after he was discharged from a secure unit. A successful civil claim was later pursued.
• Catherine Robinson – a finding of neglect against a health trust who failed to provide appropriate treatment to a woman who later took her own life. Civil claim ongoing.
• Marcella Walton – a 16 year old girl who took her own life after failings in mental health treatment. The Coroner concluded that there were missed opportunities to intervene. 

Human Rights

• Article 2 (right to life) claims on behalf of the family of Reece Lapina Amarelle
• Article 3 (torture & degrading treatment) & Art 8 (private & family life) group action claims on behalf of more than 160 family members of David Fuller’s mortuary victims. 

Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority

• First Tier Tribunal appeal on behalf of a man left with a traumatic injury following an attack with a bottle. 812% increase on compensation achieved.

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)

Ben can be contacted by email: BD@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: (0) 1273 249287. 

Areas of Specialism

Alex Brown is a Partner and Head of the Personal Injury and Medical Negligence Department at Dean Wilson LLP, specialising in high-value catastrophic personal injury claims and medical negligence claims.

With 15 years’ experience, Alex represents individuals who have sustained life-changing injuries, including brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury (SCI), amputation and complex orthopaedic injuries. He also has significant experience in birth injury claims, delayed diagnosis claims, serious road traffic accident claims, workplace accidents and occupiers’ liability claims.

Alex’s work focuses on helping clients manage the practical consequences of serious injury, not just the legal process. From the outset, he works to secure early rehabilitation, interim payments, care funding, specialist accommodation and assistive equipment, while developing a legal strategy designed to achieve the best possible long-term outcome.

As Head of Department, Alex leads a growing team with a focus on delivering high-quality, high-value work and a joined-up approach between legal strategy and rehabilitation. He places particular emphasis on building the right team around each client, including medical experts, barristers and case managers, to ensure the claim is handled effectively from the outset.

He is recognised in both Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 for his work in personal injury law and clinical negligence law, and has been for over a decade. He is a panel solicitor for Headway (brain injury charity) and a member of the Major Trauma Partnership Service in Brighton, reflecting his close involvement in serious injury rehabilitation and claimant support networks.

Clients value Alex for his clear communication and straightforward approach. He avoids unnecessary legal jargon and focuses on helping clients and their families understand their options, their claim, and what the future may look like following a serious injury. He works closely with clients, family members, case managers and medical experts to ensure that legal decisions reflect each client’s real-world needs.

Alex also acts as a Professional Deputy in the Court of Protection for clients after litigation where they require their finances to managed for them following a loss of capacity due to their injuries.

Recent Client Matters

• Alex Brown able to settle Road Traffic Accident Claim with Complex Brain Injury & Psychiatric Overlap
• Alex Brown reaches agreement of over £600,000 for Client with severe ankle injury following RTA Accident
• Alex Brown obtains 9,900% increase in settlement offer for a mother who suffered PTSD following traumatic birth
• Alex Brown obtains compensation of just under £5m for a Claimant in serious Road Traffic Accident
• Alex Brown settles multimillion pound claim for an above knee amputee following a Road Traffic Accident
• Alex Brown settles seven figure claim following a birth injury to a child for negligent treatment at St Richards Hospital, Chichester
• Alex Brown secures £500,000 settlement for a pedestrian with a head injury following a Road Traffic Accident. 

Qualifications, Membership & Directory Rankings

• Solicitor - Admitted 2011 (LLB Hons)
• Member of Association of Personal Injury Lawyers
• Headway Panel Solicitor
• Major Trauma Signposting Partnership Legal Panel (Brighton)
• Brain Injury Group
• Chambers & Partner (Band 2 Partner, Personal Injury and Band 3 Partner, Medical Negligence)
• Legal 500 (Next Generation Partner, Medical Negligence)

Alex can be contacted by email: AMB@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: (0) 1273 249286.