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 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.
Head of HR
Sarah is a highly experienced HR generalist with a full and comprehensive knowledge of all HR practices and employment law. With over 30 years of experience in the field of HR, Sarah has established a reputation for providing excellent service, with strong commercial awareness and a pragmatic approach to outcomes.
Sarah specialises in coaching and mentoring, assisting others to reach their full potential, whether that be through training, career development, performance or people management practice.
Sarah has a passion for fostering a professional, engaging and supportive culture, through working practices, recruitment, retention, succession planning, well-being and learning and development.
Sarah is known for her practical, resourceful approach, always seeking the most efficient and productive outcomes and solutions for all.
Sarah can be contacted by email, sjs@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial, 01273 032318.
Associate Solicitor, Residential Property Department
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.
Leon can be contacted by email: lpm@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 032338.
HR Officer
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.
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.
Paralegal, Dispute Resolution
Matilda recently graduated from Durham University and has now started her legal career at the firm, working as a paralegal within Dispute Resolution.
Matilda currently specialises in residential possession claims, managing her own caseload to assist landlords in gaining possession orders and cost awards. Her work also includes issuing Section 8 and Section 21 notices and proceedings under the Housing Act 1988.
Solicitor, Personal Injury & Medical Negligence
Areas of Specialism
Lyubov is a Solicitor in the Personal Injury and Medical Negligence team. She qualified as a Solicitor in May 2024, having previously spent nearly 3 years working on complex injury cases, including spinal cord injury, brain injury, and birth injury.
Recent Client Matters
Lyubov is working with Alex Brown on a number of birth injury cases where the mothers suffer from PTSD due to a negligent medical care during delivery. She also runs a mixed caseload of claims as a result of road traffic accidents, accidents-at-work, and medical negligence.
Qualifications, Membership
Lyubov can be contacted by email: LSN@deanwilson.co.uk or on their direct dial: (0) 1273 249257.
Partner & Head of Corporate Department
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.
Solicitor
LLB Hons
Neel can be contacted by email: nku@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 249 224.
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.
Rachel can be contacted by email: RAM@deanwilson.co.uk or on their direct dial: 01273 249290
Partner, Real Estate & Commercial Property and Development
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.
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.
Finance Director
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.
Solicitor Apprentice, Family Department
Poppy is a Solicitor Apprentice within the family department. Before embarking on the Solicitor Apprentice journey Poppy has paralegal experience within both the Court of Protection and Commercial Property Departments.
Poppy has experience with the following:
Poppy can be contacted by email: PS@deanwilson.co.uk or on their direct dial: 01273 249225.
Senior Paralegal, Dispute Resolution
Sara is a Senior Paralegal within the Dispute Resolution department and has extensive experience in all matters concerning residential possession claims. Sara works with both landlords and tenants and also works with providers of insurance cover for landlords.
Additionally, Sara has experience in regard to breaches of lease in relation to running Holiday Lets, with Dean Wilson LLP acting for both leaseholders and freeholders.
Sara is fluent in English and Norwegian and has a working knowledge of the Scandinavian languages.
Sara can be contacted by email: sn@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249276
Partner, Employment Law
Clare Waller is an experienced employment lawyer who acts primarily for employers, ranging from SMEs and owner-managed businesses to HR directors and business owners, across the South East and beyond. Clare’s approach is strategic, commercially focused, and tailored to the unique needs of each client.
Unlike mass HR providers, Clare delivers legally robust advice from a qualified solicitor who gets to know your business and your strategic priorities. Her solutions are designed to protect your business, your people, and your reputation, and stand up in court if challenged.
Clare read Law at the University of Reading, achieved distinction in the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law, Guildford, and holds a Masters in Employment Law from the University of East Anglia. She qualified in 1999 and became a Partner at HRJ LLP in 2002, later joining Hewitsons LLP and then Dean Wilson LLP to head up its employment law team.
Book a free 30-minute Employer Risk Review
Email: CRW@deanwilson.co.uk
Direct dial: (01273) 249277
Senior Paralegal, Dispute Resolution
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.
Michaela can be contacted by email: MCT@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249250.
Executive, Court of Protection
Beth is a Legal Executive in the Court of Protection team, having built upon her background in Mental Health Law before joining the team in 2018. Beth is meticulous, empathetic and professional in all aspects of her role, making her invaluable in the team.
Beth has experience with the following:
Beth can be contacted by email: BL@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: (0) 1273 249235.
Partner & Head of Dispute Resolution
Duncan advises clients on a range of contentious issues relating to property including:
Duncan’s other main area of practice is litigation arising out corporate insolvency and bankruptcy and in particular, transactions at undervalue, preferences, director conduct and trustee possession claims.
Duncan has extensive experience of broader commercial issues including contractual disputes, debt recovery and professional negligence.
“Duncan Wilks goes the extra mile. He takes the pressure from your shoulders and happily puts it on his. He is excellent in his field.”
Legal 500, 2024
“Duncan took over a difficult and complex dispute for me. He cut through the background noise, identified the real issues and formed a strategy. He took control and found a solution which resulted in a favourable outcome.”
Duncan can be contacted by email: drw@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 249236.
Paralegal, Commercial Property and Development
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.
LLB (Hons)
Tara Dewey can be contacted by email: tid@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249 206
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