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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.

tom saady gardiner dean wilson

Tom Saady Gardiner

Senior Paralegal, Personal Injury & Medical Negligence

tom saady gardiner dean wilson

Tom Saady Gardiner

Senior Paralegal, Personal Injury & Medical Negligence

Areas of Specialism

Tom is a Senior Paralegal in the Personal Injury and Medical Negligence department. He currently assists Ben Davey and Jessica Edwards and assists on a variety of cases ranging from moderate to high-value catastrophic injury cases involving brain injury and spinal cord injury.

Recent Client Matters

  • Tom recently closely assisted in securing a successful seven-figure settlement for a Claimant who had suffered life-changing and permanent injuries arising out of a road traffic accident. Part of the claim included obtaining the cost of single-level accommodation and future care until the Claimant’s end of life.
  • He has also assisted in several and various five and six-figure settlement sums for injuries arising out of road traffic accidents, clinical negligence cases, accidents at work, and secondary victim claims for psychiatric injury.
  • Tom assists Ben Davey with pro bono work assisting families of the deceased to obtain legal representation at inquests, primarily for cases arising out of the failure of mental health services.
  • This includes the 5-day inquest into the death of Archie Jesty, an 18-year-old who sadly took their own life after failings by mental health services.
  • He also assisted with the inquest into the death of Issy Phipps, a 17-year-old who took her own life. During the inquest, the Coroner ruled that failures by mental health services and NHS trusts had contributed to Issy’s death.
  • Tom is assisting in the ongoing Article 3 (torture & degrading treatment) & Article 8 (private & family life) group action claim for more than 160 family members of David Fuller’s mortuary victims.

Tom can be contacted by email: TSG@deanwilson.co.uk or on their direct dial: (0) 1273 032346. 

Linh Gia Pham

Linh Pham

Paralegal, Dispute Resolution 

Linh Gia Pham

Linh Pham

Paralegal, Dispute Resolution 

Linh recently graduated from University of Sussex and is currently working as a paralegal within our Dispute Resolution team, providing support to the team, as well as training to manage her own caseload. Linh specialises in Landlord & Tenant Possession Claims, related to the Section 8 and Section 21 proceedings of the Housing Act 1988. 

QUALIFICATIONS

LLB Law (Hons) from University of Sussex

CONTACT DETAILS 

Linh can be contacted by email: LGP@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249244.

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. 

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. 

Melissa

Melissa Frankling

HR Officer

Melissa

Melissa Frankling

HR Officer

Areas of Specialism

Melissa is a dedicated HR Officer with a passion for fostering a positive and supportive work environment. Melissa has a strong background in Law, having joined the firm as a Paralegal in Dispute Resolution before transitioning into human resources. 

Melissa oversees the general day-to-day employee relations, arranges training for the firm and manages the recruitment and onboarding process while ensuring a seamless employee experience. 

Melissa brings Percy, her adorable Golden Retriever pup, into the office. One of the firm's benefits is having a dog-friendly office. 

Qualifications

Melissa has completed her Level 3 CIPD and is currently undergoing Level 5. 

Melissa can be contacted by email mjf@deanwilson.co.uk, or on her direct dial, 01273 032329.

Will S

William Spratt

Apprentice Solicitor, Commercial Property

Will S

William Spratt

Apprentice Solicitor, Commercial Property

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

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. 

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.

GM

Gabrielle Moffatt

Partner, Dispute Resolution  

GM

Gabrielle Moffatt

Partner, Dispute Resolution  

Areas of Specialism

Gabrielle is a solicitor in the firm’s Dispute Resolution team with over 20 years of experience in property litigation. 

Gabrielle’s commercial landlord and tenant practice makes up a core part of her workload. She acts for  both landlords and tenants on various issues, including breach of covenant, dilapidation claims, contentious lease renewals  and forfeiture. 

Gabrielle has a strong interest in real property disputes, especially arising from development of land. She acts in many cases concerning restrictive covenants, boundary disputes, easements and adverse possession. 

Gabrielle is the firm’s specialist on fire safety following the implementation of the Building Safety Act 2022 and associated legislation. She regularly delivers seminars to Managing Agents to keep them abreast of the changes in the law affecting all aspects of residential block management. 

Gabrielle also overseas the team’s insurance funded work where we act for Landlords in recovering possession of their properties let on shorthold tenancies.  

Gabrielle’s practice area is UK-wide and she conducts cases in various courts and Tribunals to include the Technology and Construction Court. 

Recent Client Matters

  • Acting for an overseas company with a portfolio of UK properties in several dilapidation claims, including claims against the Secretary of State and Lloyds Bank PLC
  • Acting for a group of flat owners in an action against its freeholder for remedial works to address fire safety defects at the building
  • Acting for developer in an application under Section 84 of the Law of Property Act 1925 to discharge restrictive covenants on land that preventing the construction of new houses 

Qualifications, Membership & Directory Rankings

  • Solicitor LLB Hons
  • Advanced Diploma in Litigation
  • Member of Property Litigation Association 

Recognition 

Gabrielle is ranked as a leading lawyer and next generation partner for property litigation by both Chambers and Partners and Legal 500. 

‘Dedicated and excellent in addressing the issues and working to resolve the dispute. Good communication and tailored service. Highly recommend.’

‘We are being advised by Gabrielle Moffatt. She has been supportive and extremely helpful in dealing with the complex and continuing problems we are facing, in a situation which involves dealing with some extremely aggressive and difficult people. We have received excellent advice and Gabrielle Moffatt’s thoroughness, helpfulness, professional and personable approach has been very supportive and beneficial during that time we have been seeking advice from her.’

"I have been extremely impressed and reassured by Gabrielle's attention to detail and professionalism. She has made an extremely stressful process vastly more bearable."

Gabrielle can be contacted by email: grm@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249253

Gabrielle’s secretary Vanisha Parekh’s can be contacted by email: vxp@deanwilson.co.uk or her direct dial 01273 032355.

Moffatt, Gabrielle

Ethan

Ethan Barlow

Paralegal, Dispute Resolution 

Ethan

Ethan Barlow

Paralegal, Dispute Resolution 

Areas of Specialism

Ethan is a recent law graduate and a paralegal in the Dispute Resolution team: He specialises in Landlord and Tenant Possession claims, including but not limited to Section 8 & Section 21 proceedings of the Housing Act 1988. Ethan is currently managing his own caseload of Possession Claims. 

Qualification

  • Second Class Honours LLB Degree from the University of Sussex

Ethan can be contacted by email: EJB@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 249245

Joseph Phillips

Joseph Phillips

Paralegal, Dispute Resolution

Joseph Phillips

Joseph Phillips

Paralegal, Dispute Resolution

Joseph joined the firm as a Legal Assistant and has since been promoted to Paralegal within the Dispute Resolution team. He specialises in landlord and tenant possession matters and also assists with a broad range of general litigation work.

QUALIFICATIONS

Degree – Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of York 

CONTACT DETAILS 

Joseph Phillips can be contacted by email: jcp@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 249 243.

Vivien

Vivien Schveighardt

Paralegal, Dispute Resolution 

Vivien

Vivien Schveighardt

Paralegal, Dispute Resolution 

Vivien is a dedicated Paralegal in our Dispute Resolution Department, specialising in possession proceedings. She assists with rent mediation, as well as Section 21, Section 8, and Section 146 claims. Committed to delivering outstanding support, Vivien ensures her clients receive expert guidance throughout the legal process.

Vivien has just over a year of Legal Assistant experience supporting with drafting and legal research in Canada, prior to joining us at Dean Wilson. 

Qualifications: 

  • Bachelor of Law (LLB) from the University of Sussex in 2023
  • Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Wilfrid Laurier University (Canada) 
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.

Vicky S

Victoria Schofield

Senior Associate Solicitor, Commercial Property

Vicky S

Victoria Schofield

Senior Associate Solicitor, Commercial Property

Areas of Specialism

Victoria is an experienced solicitor specialising in Commercial Property and, prior to Dean Wilson, Victoria worked in the City. 

Victoria has broad experience with acquisitions and disposals of commercial and mixed-use premises, acquisition and granting of commercial leases, asset management matters and secured lending/refinancing. 

Victoria provides clear and commercially focussed advice tailored to each client and their needs. 

Qualifications

  • Solicitor (LLB Hons)

Victoria can be contacted by email: VLS@deanwilson.co.uk or on their direct dial: (0) 1273 249204. 

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), Beth Allen (Paralegal) 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

Amanda Hayward Dean Wilson

Amanda Hayward

Finance Director

Amanda Hayward Dean Wilson

Amanda Hayward

Finance Director

Areas of Specialism

Amanda is the Finance Director for Dean Wilson LLP and has over 20 years of experience in both this field and practice management.   She is responsible for the overall financial management and performance of the firm.  She enjoys looking at new and improved ways to make the financial process and reporting more efficient and seamless from both a management and fee earning perspective.  She works closely with the James Chadburn, the Managing Partner in supporting the firm’s plans for future growth and development. 

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