Who We Are

Area of Specialism

William is a recent first-class law graduate from West of England University. This is Williams's first role in law and he is currently assisting the team on Landlord and Tenant matters including the possession proceedings by way of Section 8 and/or Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

Qualifications

• First Class Honours LLB Degree from the University of the West of England

William can be contacted by email: WXI@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 249255

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 or on her direct dial: (0) 1273 249229. 

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

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. 

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.

AREAS OF SPECIALISM

Molly is a Senior Paralegal in the Dispute Resolution team, and specialise in Landlord and Tenant matters. Molly assists with lease extensions (both statutory and informal), freehold acquisitions, deeds of variations and a variety of Landlord and Tenant issues. 

Molly has over 5 years’ experience working in the legal industry, having previously worked in a local firm, which included working in Residential Property.

QUALIFICATIONS

History BA (Hons) 2:2 

Postgraduate LLM Merit 

CONTACT DETAILS 

Molly can be contacted by email: moh@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249264

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.

Julian can be contacted by email: JP@deanwilson.co.uk or on their direct dial: (0) 1273 249219. 

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) 

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.

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

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. 

Areas of Specialism

Shannon is a Paralegal in the Dispute Resolution Department working specifically with matters related to Land including transfers of whole or part property and Land Registry applications. Shannon has experience dealing with matters concerning Lease extensions, Notices of Transfer and Charge and Deeds of Covenant.

Qualifications

• Final year Law with Business LLB student at University of Sussex
• Studying LPC and LLM with University of Law in September 2024

Recent Client Matters

• Block Lease extensions
• Post-completion matters, e.g. Notice of Transfer and Charge
• Transfers of Land 

Shannon can be contacted by email: smf@deanwilson.co.uk or on direct dial: 01273 032314

Areas of Specialism

Amy joined the Commercial Development team in 2023, after successfully completing her training contract with Dean Wilson LLP. Amy studied the LPC after completing the GDL with the University of Law part-time whilst working at Dean Wilson LLP as a paralegal.

Amy has experience in dealing with a variety of commercial and residential property transactions, including acquisitions and sales of freehold and leasehold land for both Landlords and Tenants, refinances and re-mortgages for commercial and residential properties and dealing with development site set-up requirements. 

Amy works closely with the team which comprises David Hodge (Partner) Sinead Dye (Associate 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

• Involved in the ongoing plot sales at a large residential development site;
• Completion of a simultaneous headlease surrender and the grant of five sub-leases in a large commercial unit; and
• Involved in an ongoing refinance of a commercial portfolio worth over £32m.

Qualifications, Membership 

• Solicitor
• BA
• MA

Amy can be contacted by email: ae@deanwilson.co.uk and her direct dial is  01273 249 268.

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. 

Areas of Specialism

Rory is a solicitor in the Dispute Resolution team specialising in construction law.

Within the construction field, he has experience in both contentious and non-contentious transactional matters.

In dispute resolution, he has experience in a wide range of areas, including breach of contract, insurance, dilapidations, trust and cohabitation disputes, and contested probate matters.

Recent Client Matters

• Helped a residential client in a construction dispute with a contractor over defective works, undertaking a high-value extension and renovation. The claim proceeded to trial and resulted in a judgment in favour of the client, ordering the builder to cover the costs of remedial works undertaken by an alternative contractor.
• Assisted a land developer in an insurance claim after the insurer refused to pay out, alleging that there had been a failure of fair presentation when the policy was entered. The case involved a grey area on the legal position under the Insurance Act 2015. A settlement was achieved in mediation before proceedings were issued, resulting in the developer receiving the majority of the sums originally claimed.
• Involved in a dispute over a land investment in which the defendant denied the claimant's (Rory’s client) entitlement to one-half of the property and/or the proceeds of sale. At trial, the court found in favour of the claimant, recognising a resulting trust over half of the property and ordering the defendant to pay the claimant’s costs.
• Drafts various contractual documents for clients, including Bespoke terms and conditions for a high-end landscaper; An amended RIBA 2018 contract for the construction of a new build property; Amended 2016 and 2024 JCT contracts and subcontracts.
• Instructed on multiple adjudications (representing employers, contractors and subcontractors) over the terms of a contract, payment cycles and notices, claims of contra charges for alleged overpayment and the validity of a contract termination. These resulted in the adjudicators finding in favour of his client
• Led three mediations in contested probate matters over the last year involving claims of proprietary estoppel and claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. All three resulted in the settlement of the claims.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Arts, History, Literature and Culture

Solicitor (SQE)

Rory can be contacted by email: RFL@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 032336

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.